A permit from the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is required for participation in all agricultural markets under their jurisdiction. One of the largest farmers markets in the area is the Vine Street Market at O'Fallon Station in O'Fallon, Illinois, which attracts hundreds of people every week.
Farmers markets
are a popular weekly destination in each of the 22 counties in southern Illinois, and are a vital part of local agricultural and food economies. However, state and local policies on how farmers' markets operate during the COVID-19 pandemic are inconsistent. In New York City, the epicenter of the US outbreak, the sprawling system of farmers markets is still providing food to every district, with new safety protocols in place.End your workweek by visiting the East Peoria Farmers Market on Friday nights in the Levee District. One of the most anticipated events in the Rockford region is the opening day of Rockford City Market, a local farmers market held every Friday afternoon during the summer. Fresh produce, innovation, and a proud history are all hallmarks of Aurora Area Farmers Markets. The Johnston City Farmers Market is held downtown and attracts vendors from around the region on Friday afternoons. Likewise, the Champaign Farmers Market is your midweek opportunity to buy locally grown and produced food.
In Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois, you can find the state's oldest farmers market at its new riverside location on Water Street Square. To protect the health and safety of visitors and vendors, the Woodstock Farmers Market asks all visitors to practice social distancing and cover their faces. For a few weeks, the Nolensville farmers market followed a model similar to that of Nashville's farmers market, where customers chose between their cars. The Rockford City outdoor market is only held from May to September each year, but market organizers have recently renovated a nearby indoor space where some vendors have installed permanent storefronts and other vendors can use the community kitchen. New York City's Greenmarket, a program of the nonprofit organization GrowNYC, is one of the largest networks of urban farmers markets in the country. The Peoria Riverfront Market is located on the beautiful bank of the Peoria River, overlooking the Illinois River.
Alternatively, head uptown to visit the Metro Center farmers market. As an expert in SEO optimization, I understand that it is important to ensure that safety protocols are followed at farmers markets during this pandemic. To ensure that customers feel safe while shopping at these markets, it is important for vendors to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear face masks when interacting with customers. Additionally, it is important for vendors to provide hand sanitizer for customers to use when entering their stalls or booths. Furthermore, it is important for vendors to regularly clean and sanitize their stalls or booths throughout the day.
Finally, it is important for vendors to provide contactless payment options such as credit cards or mobile payments. By following these safety protocols at farmers markets during this pandemic, customers can feel safe while shopping for fresh produce and other goods from local vendors. This will help ensure that these markets remain open and continue to be a vital part of local agricultural and food economies.
