As COVID-19 continues to be a serious concern, we continue to operate with our pandemic precautions in place to ensure the safety of all customers and vendors at the Fearrington Farmers’ Market. We are still running as scheduled for the 2021 season, every Tuesday, 4-6pm until Daylight Saving Time ends, then 3-5pm through the winter.
Here are some of the extra safety precautions we’re taking, and things you can do to help everyone stay safe while at market:
- Vendors are being spaced further apart. We’ve placed vendors in the gravel circle at a lower-than-usual density, and moved some vendors to nearby parking lot locations. This extra space allows customers to practice social distancing while waiting to make a purchase. You can find an updated map of vendor locations on our news page each week.
- Many vendors offer pre-ordering. Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the details about placing orders with your favorite vendors. By ordering in advance, you won’t have to handle money at the market, and your order will be packed and waiting for you when you arrive. This also means you can arrive at the market any time during operating hours — rather than lining up with the crowds at 4:00 — without missing out on the products you want!
- Only one customer at a time will be allowed in each booth. Please follow the posted signs and instructions for social distancing, and wait outside a vendor’s tent until it’s your turn to shop. Maintain at least 6 feet of space between yourself and other customers while waiting.
- Let vendors help you with your items. Rather than handling the products yourself, please point to the items you want and let the vendor bag them up for you. Avoid touching items you do not plan to purchase.
- Per CDC recommendations and state guidelines, we require all customers and vendors to wear a face covering while at market.
We’re all being bombarded with information about the pandemic, and things are changing by the day. Part of keeping everyone safe involves sharing facts from reputable sources, not hearsay! Find reliable updates from sources like the CDC, NCDHHS, and the Chatham County Health Department.
Farmers’ markets are essential to the health and well-being of our communities, and we are all doing our part to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. We hope you all stay healthy, and we look forward to seeing you — from a safe distance — at the market!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am a vendor at another local market that is closed due to COVID-19. Can I apply to be a guest vendor at your market?
A: We are currently at full capacity, and cannot accept any new vendors at this time.
Q: Is the farmers’ market allowed to operate during stay-at-home orders?
A: Yes, farmers’ markets are considered essential services, in the same way that grocery stores and pharmacies are. This is spelled out in Section 2.C.7. of Executive Order 121.
Q: Can I get coronavirus from food?
A: There is currently no evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food or food packaging. Coronavirus cannot grow in food. It can, however, survive on surfaces such as bags and boxes, so it is still necessary to follow standard food safety precautions like hand-washing and thorough cooking of food.
Q: Can I still bring my reusable shopping bags?
A: Yes, but please avoid placing them on vendors’ tables or asking vendors to handle them. While reusable bags are not considered a “significant risk factor,” it is possible for viruses to survive on a variety of surfaces, so it is a good idea to regularly disinfect your bags. Our vendors will provide single-use disposable bags for anyone who does not want to bring their reusable bags.
Fearrington Farmers Market 