SPOKANE, Wash. — Farmers markets, considered essential businesses during Washington state’s stay-home order, are looking for ways to adapt to new health guidelines as their opening dates inch closer.
The Washington State Department of Health recently updated its guidelines for farmers markets, which include only allowing vendors that provide essential services. This includes those that provide food and supplies needed to maintain health, safety and sanitation.
Farmers markets are asked not to schedule non-essential services such as live music or other entertainment.
The state has also included guidelines for vendor safety plans and modifying market layouts, including spacing vendor booths at least six feet apart.
The Thursday Market in the South Perry District reopened this week, while others are reopening later in the month or in early June.
Here's what we know about 2020 farmers markets in the Spokane area.
Thursday Market in the South Perry District
The Thursday Market located at 915 S. Perry St. in Spokane is running from 3-7 p.m. every Thursday beginning May 7.
“The mission of our market has forever been a beautiful trifecta of fostering community, ensuring food access and empowering farmers. That has not changed. How far the booths are apart, the foreshortening of that delightful weekly visit, and sitting down for that hot slice of pie or cold cone of ice cream may be waylaid, but we will be there,” the market wrote on Facebook.
The market is now located two doors south of our original location.
Kendall Yards Night Market
The Kendall Yards Night Market, one of the more popular farmers markets in the Spokane area, is changing its practices to adapt to health guidelines.
Beginning May 15, the market will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday.
Dogs and other animals will not be allowed inside the market, with the exception of service animals.
Food trucks will not be stationed at the market, and orders from area restaurants must be taken to-go.
A minimum of six feet will be required between vendors, which will be set up on the north side of Summit Parkway. Food sampling will not be allowed.
The market will also provide handwashing stations.
More information about the new guidelines is available on the market’s website.
Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market
The Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market located at 2310 N. Monroe St. in Spokane is set to run from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday from June 5 through Sept. 25, 2020.
The market has not yet shared information online abouts it COVID-19 safety plan.
Fairwood Farmers Market
The Fairwood Farmers Market located at 319 W. Hastings Road in Spokane is set to run from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday beginning May 12.
The market wrote on Facebook that its layout will be modified to limit entrances and exits to a one-way flow. A certain number of people will also be allowed in the market at one time.
Spokane Farmers Market
The Spokane Farmers Market located at 20 W. Fifth Ave. is set to run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday beginning May 9 and every Wednesday starting June 10.
The market plans to allow two customers per stand into the market at one time. Shoppers will be allowed entrance as others.
The market will also have one entrance and one exit to keep track of how many customers are visiting at one time.
Organizers say they are also counting on customers to follow social distancing rules, such as staying six feet apart and donning face masks.
Spokane Valley Farmers Market
The Spokane Valley Farmers Market located at 2426 N. Discovery Place in Spokane Valley is set to run from 5-8 p.m. every Friday beginning June 5.
The market has not yet shared information about its COVID-19 safety plan.
Liberty Lake Farmers Market
The Liberty Lake Farmers Market located 1421 N. Meadowood Lane is set to run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday beginning June 6.
“We are working to make sure that the Liberty Lake Farmers Market is safe, healthy and observing all DOH & CDC protocols for our June 6 opening,” the market wrote on Facebook.
Millwood Farmers Market
The Millwood Farmers Market located at 8910 E. Dalton Ave. is set to run from 3-7 p.m. every Wednesday beginning May 20.
The market has not yet shared information about its COVID-19 safety plan.