Two-week Shutdown Rescinded
By Daniel Saenz
Good news! We are glad to announce that the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College will be OPEN on Saturdays from 8 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Farmers markets are now recognized as essential food outlets during this national emergency. Because our farmers markets are held on college campuses, we had to go through a more difficult approval process. We want to thank Cabrillo College for hearing our pleas to allow our farmers market to operate during this crisis.
However — we must all adhere to the following guidelines:
- Please do your shopping and go — we will be monitoring for crowds. This is vital for everyone’s safety.
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible — do not ‘hang out’ at the market during the next few weeks.
- Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be set up around the market. The bathrooms are stocked with soap, water, and paper towels.
- Vendors and farmers will be wearing gloves.
- If you or any family member is ill, we ask for the safety of others that you remain home.
Nick Prevedelli, of Prevedelli Certified Organic Farms, is a regular vendor at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
We are still working on an alternate plan for the Monterey Farmers Market. The Monterey Peninsula College would not agree to allow us to re-open and we are currently making a new plan with the Del Monte Shopping Center. We are hoping to reopen the Monterey Farmers Market on Friday, March 27. As soon as we are able to finalize the details about where we will set up at the shopping center, we will post an announcement.
First and foremost, we need to keep in mind this is a fluid situation and things may change quickly without much notice. We will do our best to keep everyone informed about changes as soon as we know. We are using our market Facebook pages, Instagram, and our newsletter email list for new announcements. If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for the newsletter here.
And, thank you for your patience and support during this difficult time. We are so grateful for our farmers market community. We will do everything we can to keep our markets open for you.
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Daniel Saenz is creative director of the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets.