The Owen Sound Farmers’ Market will re-open to the public this Saturday, June 27th, with new hours of 9 am – 12 pm.

“We’re thrilled to re-open the market, connecting food producers and consumers once again,” says Owen Sound Market Vendors Association President Laura Buckler.

As with many things, the market will be much different than it was before the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“The market has always been an important social gathering place,” says market co-manager Richard Thomas. “Unfortunately, that has changed. For the time being, we’ll be asking the public to spend only enough time to make their purchases. There are no public seating areas, and people will not be permitted to gather and visit as they did in the past.”

To meet physical distancing guidelines, the market board asks that just one family member attend if possible, rather than groups. Physical distancing and hand sanitizing protocols are mandatory, and the number of people in the market space at any one time will be tightly controlled. All of the vendors will be inside the pavilion, with the public remaining outside. Masks are optional.

The public enters the market through the west roadway into the market square (where 1st Avenue used to exit). They will have to line up at each vendor separately, to maintain physical distancing. The traffic will flow around the west side of the pavilion, down the east side, and into the market building, where there will be nine vendors. The exit is through the south side doors of the market.

The online shop, which was launched early in May, will continue operating for those who prefer to shop online and stop by the market to pick up their purchases. There will be a separate pick up door on the south side of the market.

“Instead of delivering to their cars, we’re asking our customers to come to the 8th Street door, which is to the east of the exit, to pick up their purchases.

source: media release, Owen Sound Farmers' Market