Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is pushing an incrementalreopening of the commonwealth’s economy that will gradually phase in sectors including healthcare, retail, and professional services.
One sector of the economy that’s opening is the state’s farmers markets. The markets provide fresh produce directly from farms and producers. According to figures from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), Kentucky is home to over 160 farmers’ markets spread out across 110 of the state’s 120 counties.
As the coronavirus pandemic restricts activities in all areas of daily life, farmers’ markets are not immune from the changes. The items available for sale are currently limited to food items, gardening supplies, flowers and hygiene products. The KDA said the restrictions could loosen later in the season to allow the sale of other items including crafts.
Other limitations include a ban on live entertainment and music, games and children's activities. Cooking is also not currently allowed at farmers’ markets, including any form of product sampling.
The Hopkins County Farmers’ Market is one of many in western Kentucky working to adjust to the new guidelines. Erika Wood is the horticulture agent with the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office. She also serves as the coordinator of the Hopkins County Farmers’ Market. Wood said market organizers are adapting to meet the social distancing needs of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have had to change the layout of the market so that we’re not having a crowd of people coming together in the market,” Wood said. “We don’t want that.”
Wood said the market will provide hand sanitizer to customers in addition to offering masks for purchase. The first hour of operation will be dedicated to serving seniors and those in populations that are vulnerable to COVID-19.
“With all of those things, we’re just trying to stay as safe as we can and follow the guidelines,” Wood said.
The Hopkins County Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout their operational season. More information about the market can be found at their Facebook page. To find a farmers’ market in your community or to read official state guidance regarding farmers’ markets, visit the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s website.
