Press release from the North Coast Growers Association:



California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have published guidelines this week for the operation of Certified Farmers’ Markets during the COVID-19 outbreak, naming farmers’ markets as essential food service businesses during this time of need. NCGA will continue operations of the Arcata Plaza Farmers’ Market following the strict guidelines established by CDFA and CDPH. As the community responds to the current health crisis, maintaining a locally sourced supply of healthy food is of critical importance.

Across the state farmers’ markets are remaining open. ​ Farmers’ markets are a critical access point for local food and will eliminate any non-essential services and activities. NCGA encourages the community to use the farmers’ market as a resource by continuing to access local, nutritious food at the market.

NCGA encourages customers to carefully follow the protocols outlined and to stay home if you exhibit any sign of illness OR are over the age 65 and have additional health concerns. Please send a friend to the market on your behalf.

The NCGA will not close the farmers’ market unless mandated by local government authorities to do so.

Following the CDPH and CDFA guidelines released, the market staff and each market vendor are committed to taking the additional steps necessary to do our part to slow the spread of CoronaVirus and Covid-19.

We are:

Spreading out the spacing of market vendor booths to increase social distancing among patrons standing in line and walking about the market

Communicating social distancing guidance with customers both online and at the market

Continuing to provide additional hand washing stations at the market info booth and individual vendor booths

Continuing to provide hand sanitizer and gloves at the info booth as well as signage around the market encouraging safe prevention methods

Continuing to remind staff and vendors about best hygiene practices including washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Continuing to wipe down payment cards and point-of-sale devices regularly

Increasing the frequency of cleaning tables and other high-contact surfaces

Requiring sanitary gloves be used by market staff, especially when handling money

Requiring vendors/staff change gloves and sanitize/wash hands before handling produce

Encouraging vendors to have a designated money handler separate from the person handling produce

Requiring vendors to select and bag produce for their customers; customers may not handle produce

Requiring prepared food vendors to eliminate the use of shared condiment containers and instead provide single use packets or individual condiment cups for customers

Requiring all prepared food vendors to use a protective screen between customers and food service/prep area

Requiring all prepared food vendors only offer food to-go

Suspending all food sampling

Eliminating non-essential services such as craft or non-food booths, bands, or other entertainment

Farmers’ markets provide an access point for safe and local foods that are likely to be significantly less handled than those available at grocery stores. Many items on vendors’ tables this weekend are great for long term storage (dry beans, onions, cabbage, mushrooms, frozen meat… even just picked kale and spinach will hold up for multiple weeks) and many can be frozen or canned for future use. Supporting local farmers’ market vendors during this time of uncertainty also contributes a positive boost to the local economy. CalFresh/EBT will continue to be accepted and Market Match is available.

For the full set of guidelines for “Retail, Food Beverage and Related Services” from CDPH click HERE.

For more information please contact North Coast Growers’ Association: info@northcoastgrowersassociation.org​ or (707) 441-9999