Another market season is about to begin, but this one looks different than years past. With the pandemic still looming, we’ve had to be creative this summer in order to both keep our community safe while also ensuring the availability of local food during these challenging times. Below is a list of changes we’ve made to the South Osborne Farmers’ Market. But have no fear-- we’re still the same market you know and love!
IN PERSON MARKET UPDATES:
Regretfully, we will not be hosting any special activities or community programming this summer which includes our beer gardens, kids crafts tent, and live music. That said, we have a few ideas up our sleeves in order to retain our community atmosphere. Stay tuned for more information.
The first half hour of the market, between 4 to 4:30 pm, is reserved for the elderly, immunocompromised and disabled community members to shop. If you do not identify as such, please do not arrive at the market before 4:30 pm.
To enable social distancing, we are limiting the number of customers in the market at one time. As such, we ask that you only come to shop and exit the rink promptly when you are finished so that others can enter and enjoy the market.
Upon entering the ice rink, hand sanitizer and hand washing station is available and recommended to use. We highly recommend wearing a mask when shopping as you may be asymptomatic or presymptomatic with COVID-19 and can unknowingly endanger your community.
Our zero plastic bag policy and take-a-bag, leave-a-bag initiative are both temporarily on pause due to COVID-19. We still encourage you to bring a reusable bag, however, it is your responsibility to fill your own bag.
We have asked our vendors to only accept credit or debit cards. Please plan accordingly.
SHOP LOCAL ONLINE
We are also offering an online pre-order option as an alternative to shopping at our physical market for dedicated shoppers and vendors who aren’t able to attend in person at this time.
Starting June 19, pre-order online between Friday 7 am to Tuesday at 9am each week and pick up on Wednesdays, 4-8 pm in the basketball court to the left of the hockey rink where the market is held. Please note that there is a minimum order of $30 as well as $3 packing fee so be sure to stock up!
START SHOPPING NOW: https://fireweedfoodcoop.localfoodmarketplace.com/
Pick up Protocols:
When picking up your order, please keep at least a 6 feet (2 meter) distance between yourself and others at all times. This is a simple precaution that can help keep everyone safe.
Orders are alphabetized by last name. Each table will have a piece of paper with the letter range of last names. When lining up, please wait on the line drawn by chalk (6 ft apart) until the person ahead of you has moved forward.
When you get to the front, you will be asked to provide your last name at which point one of our team members will find and hand you your order. Please wait until they have placed your order on the table before picking up your bag(s). Please quickly collect your bag(s).
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although our market may not have the same joie de vivre this season, we are still confident that our fun-loving community atmosphere will still be alive and well all summer long. So why not make it a weekly treat? Come on down to the South Osborne Farmers’ Market every Wednesday, 4-8 pm for freshly cut boutiques, local vegetables, baked goods, tasty preserves, food trucks and more! We are located at the Lord Roberts Community Centre (725 Kylemore Ave).
Fireweed Food Co-op adheres to and takes seriously the Manitoba government policies and procedures regarding COVID-19. Further information regarding the precautions we are taking as an organization can be found here: https://www.fireweedfoodcoop.ca/covid-statement