COVID-19 Response Plan

The market's staff continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 health crisis, seeking guidance from the City of Maple Grove leadership and public safety officials, from our partners at Hennepin County Environmental Health, the Minnesota Farmers' Market Association, and adopting best practices from markets in Minnesota and across the country. Governor Tim Walz has recognized farmers markets as essential public institutions that serve the public with fresh, nutrient-dense foods. We're committed to facilitating the ongoing connection of local growers to local eaters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The health and safety of our vendors, customers, and staff is the market's top concern. In these unique times, the market will operate as a food store, not a social gathering. Social distancing will be enforced and customers will be encouraged to get in, get the goodies, and go home. Be sure to briefly share a smile (they travel six feet in no time flat!) and a greeting as you shop, but keep moving to ensure that the market doesn't become too crowded.

We are taking the following steps to keep our customers, vendors and staff safe and healthy:

1. All customers, staff and vendors should stay home if they feel sick or if a member of their family or production staff are not feeling well.

2. Shoppers will be asked to enter the market at one main entrance.

3. Public handwashing stations will be available as well as sanitizer at each vendor booth. Shoppers will be encouraged to wash their hands upon entry and exit from the market (and as often as you like in between.)

4. Vendor booths will be spaced farther apart to avoid crowding. Vendor displays will be modified to distance vendors and their products from the shopping public.

5. In the first half-hour of the market, we invite seniors, health care providers, and folks with underlying health concerns to shop.

6. For now, the market will be a shopping destination, not a social gathering. Customers are invited to choose a designated shopper from their household and make a shopping list in advance. Please consider leaving children at home until restrictions ease.

7. Shoppers should shop with their eyes and allow vendors to handle all product.

7. Vendors may not offer samples.

8. All ready-to-eat food items will be packaged "to-go." No on-site consumption of food will be allowed.

9. We're working with vendors to create and enhance their online sales presence, allowing customers to pre-order and prepay with no-contact payment methods.

10. Live music and our special programming (Power of Produce and Frequent Shopper) will not be offered until the COVID-19 crisis eases.

11. We'll add to and modify this list of strategies as the public health situation changes and as we learn of new best practices. Thanks for your patience and patronage of local farmers and food businesses.