EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM) is scheduled to open for its 2020 season on Sunday, June 7. The market will be open June 7-Oct. 25 on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, ELFM staff have implemented several necessary changes to market operations, with the goal of making the market as safe as possible for community members, vendors and staff.
Guidance from the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as executive orders from the State of Michigan were reviewed to help in developing the ELFM’s customer guidelines. It’s important for ELFM customers to follow these guidelines to ensure a safer shopping experience for everyone:
- Customers should not attend the market if they are feeling ill, exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if they have traveled outside of Michigan in the last 14 days.
- All customers must wear a mask.*
- Customers must limit shopping groups to no more than one or two people.
- Customers must maintain six feet of physical distance from others at all times.
- Market customers will be asked to use a designated entrance and exit for the market (view map). A limited number of market customers will be permitted into the market area at one time.
- Market visits should be kept simple and short. All food should be consumed at home.
- Animals will not be permitted at the market (excluding service animals).
- Customers may not bring their own reusable bags.
- Customers should be aware of and abide by all market signs.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available for staff, vendor and customer use. Customers are asked to follow all CDC guidelines, including frequent hand washing/sanitizing.
- Double Up Food Bucks and SNAP/Bridge Cards will be accepted.
- Customers are asked to be courteous and patient.
“While we are looking forward to the opening of this year’s market, we also want customers to be aware that this season will be different from other seasons of the market due to COVID-19. We ask that all customers do their part to follow the market guidelines so that we can continue to provide access to local, Michigan-grown food in an environment that is as safe as possible,” said East Lansing Community Events Specialist Justin Drwencke.
The market area will be highly managed by multiple City of East Lansing staff members in order to maintain safety. Commonly touched areas will be frequently cleaned, and all staff members and vendors will be wearing masks (and gloves as needed).
The 2020 ELFM vendor lineup includes Applegarth Honey, Owosso Organics, Corrion Farm & Greenhouse, Tomac Pumpkins, Wildflower Eco Farm, Wooden Shoe Herb Farm, Jenny’s Sweets & Treats, Droscha Sugar Bush, Pregitzer Farm, Stone Circle Bakehouse, Trillium Wood Farm, Sapo De Solis, Mycophile’s Garden, Guiding Light Garlic Farm, Civil Ferments, DavePops, The Country Mill, El Burrito Mexicano, DMS Fish Supply, 517 Coffee Company, Tantay, Hickory Knoll Farms, Half Barn Farm, Apple Blossom Kombucha, Wernette Beef and the Bavarian Inn Cluck Truck.
For additional ELFM updates throughout the 2020 season, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket.
*Please note that, while masks were always strongly encouraged, they are now required (with limited exceptions) at the market per Executive Order No. 2020-147. We appreciate the community’s cooperation.