EAST LANSING, Mich. — Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars for opening day of the East Lansing Farmers Market’s (ELFM) 2020 season, which will be taking place as originally scheduled on Sunday, June 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court.
ELFM staff will be implementing several necessary changes to market operations, with the goal of making the ELFM as safe as possible for community members, vendors and staff due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. ELFM staff are reviewing guidance from the Michigan Farmers Market Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Michigan to help inform the operational changes that will be put into place for the 2020 season. Operational changes will include an expansion of the market footprint in order to provide appropriate space for physical distancing, adjustments to market customer traffic flow, limits on the number of customers that can be in the market space at one time, hand sanitizing stations available throughout the market and more. Dogs will not be permitted in the market area, and market visitors will be encouraged to limit their time at the market and limit the number of people that come with them to market. Additionally, market visitors will be encouraged to wear cloth face coverings/masks.
“While we are planning to open the market as originally scheduled, we are working to make all necessary adjustments to ensure the safest environment possible for our market customers and our vendors,” said Community Events Specialist Justin Drwencke. “Additional updates will be provided as we get closer to opening day.”
The 2020 market season is scheduled to run from June 7-Oct. 25 on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court. Vendor selection will be taking place this week and vendors will be announced soon.