Farmers markets are deemed an essential business in Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. As a service that provides fresh local food, the markets can continue on in the wake of COVID-19, but without their non-food vendors.

Some local markets are choosing to operate a bit differently during social distancing protocols, while others have adjusted their opening date past May 4 when the declaration ends. A few markets are encouraging patrons to order ahead or visit farmers directly.

Here's how the markets around Kitsap are working this year:

Bremerton

Bremerton Community Farmers Market plans to continue on but is delaying its opening from May to June.

The first market will be on Thursday, June 4, rather than the original opening date of May 7. However, that’s also dependent on how the next few weeks play out, said manager Jessica Knutelsky.

Knutelsky said there will be some adjustments to the market, and organizers are working to develop a safety plan to make the market safe for all.

“We know it will probably look very different than previous years, but at this point it is hard to say exactly how it will look,” she said. “We are looking forward to working with the city and health department to create a safe place for food access. Farmers markets are extremely important food access points for the community, and we are focused on providing that for our farmers and customers.”

Many Bremerton vendors have online ordering and contactless pickup available, so market staff is encouraging customers to support them.

The Bremerton Community Farmers Market operates on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. June through October at Evergreen Park.

Poulsbo

Adjustments have been made to the Poulsbo Farmers Market.

The church the market operates at, Gateway Fellowship, closed its campus until the governor’s order expires May 4. The Poulsbo Farmers Market was scheduled to open the first weekend in April, but now plans are to open May 9 at Gateway Fellowship.

Organizers are still searching for alternate locations to host the market until the declaration expires and it can be held at its normal location, said April Sims, market manager.

Other adjustments to the market include:

•A policy of social distancing will be monitored by staff. Customers and vendors are requested to stand at least 6 feet away from others and to not crowd vendor booths.

•Customers are requested to use the handwashing stations before shopping and upon leaving the market.

•Customers are requested to wash all produce they buy before consuming.

•Customers are requested to prioritize essential food purchasing and not to use the market as a place for social gathering for the time being.

•Customers who are experiencing any sign of illness, even mild symptoms, or believe they may have been exposed to the virus, are requested to stay home and take care of themselves.

•To reduce crowding, its requested that only one member per household shop at the market on any given day.

•No refillable personal containers are allowed with the exception of personal shopping totes.

•Public seating will no longer be available, and pets will not be allowed at the market for the time being.

“There are also new protocols for vendors who attend the market and customers should be prepared to see a noticeable difference in how the market operates,” Sims said.

The Poulsbo Farmers Market will operate this year May 9 through October 9 a.m.. to 2 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through December, rain or shine at Gateway Fellowship Church, 18901 Eighth Ave NE.

Port Orchard

The Port Orchard Farmers Market began on Saturday, operating as a drive-thru.

Customers are encouraged to pre-order if it’s available from their vendor or to know what they plan to buy before going to the market. No browsing will be allowed, and customers must remain in their vehicles.

There will be a check-in process for customers to tell the manager which vendor they would like to see before entering. Customers will then pull off, and someone from the stand they wish to purchase from will bring the items to their car, said Michelle Schmittler, president of Port Orchard Farmers Market.

If Inslee's order isn't extended, then the market will return to normal operation. The market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays through mid-October.

Central Kitsap

The Central Kitsap Farmers Market is still set to open on May 5 — a day after the governor’s order expires — in the parking lot of Maynard's Restaurant, 2251 NW Bucklin Hill Rd

Things will be set up a bit differently, said Schmittler, co-manager of the market, to allow better social distancing.

The market is waiving its membership fee temporarily so farmers who can’t sell to restaurants or in other markets right now have a place to sell their products. Once restrictions cease and those businesses return to some normalcy, the Central Kitsap Market will return to its regular way of doing things.

“Maynard’s restaurant is very generously letting us continue to use the space despite his restaurant being closed,” Schmittler said. Depending how many vendors show up, the market will be held in the parking lot of the restaurant or the grass.

The Central Kitsap Farmers Market will run TuesdayMay through October from 3 p.m. to 7 pm.

Belfair

The Belfair Saturday Market is on, for now.

The market opens the first weekend in May, and the governor’s stay at home order expires two days later.

Many vendors are crafters, said market board member Eileen Richards, though there is a large farm that participates and sells cut flowers before the produce is ripe.

“With this pandemic, we’re not exactly sure of a lot of stuff,” Richards said.

The farmers market typically runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the first Saturday in May through the last Saturday in September.

Kingston

Kingston's Farmers Marketis scheduled to open the first Saturday in May and run through mid-October from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the lawn in Marina Park at Apple Tree Cove, according to its Facebook page.

Bainbridge Island

The Bainbridge Island Farmer's Market normally operates on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winslow Town Square. But, according to Jess Sappington, board member of Kitsap Community and Agriculture Alliance, plans to open are on hold at the moment.

It would have opened at the beginning of April and run through December. Organizers were unavailable for comment.