COVID-19 and Farmers’ Markets

April 3, 2020 UPDATE: The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has confirmed that the farmers’ market guidance, last updated March 26, 2020, remains in effect. All markets must strictly follow current social distancing guidelines. DACF strongly encourages markets to adjust their physical layouts to promote social distancing, including encouraging one-way foot traffic and using signage and staff to alert shoppers to safety measures. Any emerging information will be provided on the Department’s COVID-19 Information for Agriculture and Food Businesses page. MFFM is continuing to develop and share resources to assist markets in adopting these practices.

There’s a lot of information out there. MFFM will maintain up to date resources for market managers and vendors on this page:

Resource page from Beginning Farmers Resource Network – this document is a one-stop clearing house compiled by agricultural service organizations across the state.

Best Practices for Markets

• Example SOP from Bangor Farmers’ Market
• 1-pager on best practices from NC State University
• Farmers Market Coalition Resource for Markets
• Examples of FM activities from across the country
• Simple hand-washing station for your booth
• Tips for cleaning SNAP Tokens
• Update your website! Learn from Belfast and Portland.
• How to host a conference call

Signage for your market – click here for our page full of FM signs (still in development)

Resources for Farmers

• Maine Department of Agriculture’s Info Page for Covid-19
• Growing Farmers.com: great web-based resource to walk you and your business through the crisis
• Small business loans/loan insurance: The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) is partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local Maine lenders to offer special, limited-time loans and loan insurance to eligible Maine businesses affected by COVID-19. To learn more visit this link.  

Email director@mffm.org for questions about this page.