(Atlantic) Last week Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced farmer’s markets are allowed to open this summer, with a few restrictions.
The Governor’s proclamation states; vendors selling food and farm products will be allowed to sell their food provided vendor booths remain stationed six feet apart. However, musicians will not be permitted and banned contests and other activities from their respective sites.
Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator and Cass County Food Policy member says the Produce in the Park Board is working on details as to what the Atlantic City Park is going to look like this summer. “Before the governor’s proclamation, we decided we’re going to be safe with social distancing because we want all of our customers to be safe at the market,” said Hoegh. “We also want to be sure our local growers have a channel to sell their food this summer.”
The Board is looking at a couple of different options, including a drive-thru model as well as encouraging consumers to order online before they arrive at the market. “It’s fun to see local growers, and it’s fun to see growers at the local market,” said Hoegh. “We’re going to have to be creative this summer with social distancing. We’re already looking at things like trying to get more videos of our farmers available online. We want to make sure the connection we’ve had at the market is not all lost even though we cannot be together for a long time.”
Hoegh says a Produce in the Park venue is a community gathering with a relaxed summer atmosphere. “We’re going to have to be creative, and online videos of our local producers is one option under consideration.”
The plan is to open the market in the Atlantic City Park the first part of June.
