Pasco Farmers Market reopens this weekend, but it won’t look the same

This is the time of year Tri-Citians begin strolling open air farmers markets to fill shopping bags with fresh locally-grown asparagus, grab a taco from food vendors and enjoy live outdoor music.

But like much of our daily life, coronavirus is changing how open-air markets will operate.

“Part of the market is that we’ve encouraged people to linger,” said Stephanie Button, executive director of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership. “But during social distancing, it must be about the shopping and not the staying and playing.”

The Pasco Farmers Market opening Saturday joins the Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market and others in the Tri-Cities and across the state in changing the way they do business.

Oscar Martinez, organizer for the Pasco Farmers Market, said that when it opens May 9 customers should expect vast changes from years past.

They are following state recommendations, and had their plans reviewed by the Benton Franklin Health Department, as other markets are doing. The district issued health guidelines it created for farmers markets on May 2.

The Washington State Farmers Market Association’s guidelines include no sampling, live entertainment or high-touch items, such as lotions, at booths.

The association also advised vendors on how to alter their booths and displays to maximize social distancing and sanitation to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

And while crafts vendors have been commonplace at markets, only vendors fitting Washington state’s definition of essential services will be allowed for now.

In other words — only food and agricultural products, as well as those making health-related items such as masks and soaps.

Pasco market

Martinez said that usually this time of year the downtown market starts with about 20 vendors.

“I had to really be specific in choosing the vendors,” he said.

Instead, there will about 13 vendors, maybe a few more, that adhere to the essential working guidelines. The market also will adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“There will be one entrance and one exit,” Martinez said. “We will have volunteers and every point — and we are requiring masks (of everyone).”

The market is implementing the changes to keep both vendors and customers safe. Organizers ask that only one person per family attend, the number of people shopping simultaneously will be limited and all customers must wear a mask or they will not be admitted.

“We will have some masks available for people,” Martinez said. He added that because the market is a nonprofit, they are asking for donations to cover the cost of the masks, but they are not required.

The market is encouraging vendors to have produce prepackaged in set amounts because customers will not be allowed to pore over produce as they make their choices.

Marks will be on the ground to keep space between people, and volunteers will be helping remind customers to adhere to the spacing requirement.

“It will be interesting to see how it turns out,” Martinez said. “I’m really excited about it, but I’m also very nervous.”

Kennewick market

When the Kennewick market opens in June, there will be no food trucks or jewelry vendors. And wine tasting will be eliminated at all markets.

Button said their craft vendors must make essential items such as scrubs, soaps or personal protective equipment items.

The market also is putting more space between vendors, directing customers to follow a set walking direction, staffing more volunteers to manage the number of visitors shopping at a given time, adding hand-washing stations and making sure sellers have appropriate protective equipment.

“Until a vaccine is in place, we must be mindful of public health for a safe and healthy market,” Button said.

And The Market at The Parkway in Richland also opening in June already is looking for extra volunteers to help ensure customers maintain social distancing and other safe practices.

The Richland market also is following the guidelines issued by the health department.

According to their Facebook page. No contact shopping will be required by having the vendors handle products, ask everyone to maintain a 6-foot distance from others, have limited entrances and exits and ask that only one person per household shop.

Vendors and volunteers will be required to wear masks. Customers will be encouraged, but not required, to wear them.

Farmers markets:

Pasco Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays starting May 9 through October. In downtown Pasco at Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street. Information: downtownpasco.com/pfm or Facebook.

Historic Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market: 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday from June 4 to Oct. 24 at the Flag Plaza on the corner of Benton Street and West Kennewick Avenue. Information: historickennewick.org/farmers-market or Facebook.

Market at the Parkway, Richland: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday from June 5 through the last Friday in October. Along the Parkway between George Washington Way and Jadwin in Richland. Information: richlandwafarmersmarket.com or Facebook.

Prosser Farmers Market: No opening date set yet. Information: prosserfarmersmarket.com or Facebook.

3 Eyed Fish Farmers Market, Richland: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays starting June 7 through September. In parking lot of 3 Eyed Fish Wine Bar, 1970 Keene Road, Richland. Information: Facebook.

“Part of the market is that we’ve encouraged people to linger,” said Stephanie Button, executive director of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership.

“We’ve had several pop-up restaurants. People order food, and have a lovely evening with entertainment,” she said. “But during social distancing, it must be about the shopping and not the staying and playing.”

The Pasco Farmers Market opening Saturday joins the Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market and others in the Tri-Cities and across the state in changing the way they do business.

Oscar Martinez, organizer for the Pasco Farmers Market, said that when it opens May 9 customers should expect vast changes from years past.

They are following state recommendations, and had their plans reviewed by the Benton Franklin Health Department, as other markets are doing. The district issued health guidelines it created for farmers markets on May 2.

The Washington State Farmers Market Association’s guidelines include no sampling, live entertainment or high-touch items, such as lotions, at booths.

The association also advised vendors on how to alter their booths and displays to maximize social distancing and sanitation to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

And while crafts vendors have been commonplace at markets, only vendors fitting Washington state’s definition of essential services will be allowed for now.

In other words — only food and agricultural products, as well as those making health-related items such as masks and soaps.

Pasco market

Martinez said that usually this time of year the downtown market starts with about 20 vendors.

“I had to really be specific in choosing the vendors,” he said.

Instead, there will about 13 vendors, maybe a few more, that adhere to the essential working guidelines. The market also will adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“There will be one entrance and one exit,” Martinez said. “We will have volunteers and every point — and we are requiring masks (of everyone).”

The market is implementing the changes to keep both vendors and customers safe. Organizers ask that only one person per family attend, the number of people shopping simultaneously will be limited and all customers must wear a mask or they will not be admitted.

“We will have some masks available for people,” Martinez said. He added that because the market is a nonprofit, they are asking for donations to cover the cost of the masks, but they are not required.

The market is encouraging vendors to have produce prepackaged in set amounts because customers will not be allowed to pore over produce as they make their choices.

Marks will be on the ground to keep space between people, and volunteers will be helping remind customers to adhere to the spacing requirement.

“It will be interesting to see how it turns out,” Martinez said. “I’m really excited about it, but I’m also very nervous.”

Kennewick market

When the Kennewick market opens in June, there will be no food trucks or jewelry vendors. And wine tasting will be eliminated at all markets.

Button said their craft vendors must make essential items such as scrubs, soaps or personal protective equipment items.

The market also is putting more space between vendors, directing customers to follow a set walking direction, staffing more volunteers to manage the number of visitors shopping at a given time, adding hand-washing stations and making sure sellers have appropriate protective equipment.

“Until a vaccine is in place, we must be mindful of public health for a safe and healthy market,” Button said.

And The Market at The Parkway in Richland also opening in June already is looking for extra volunteers to help ensure customers maintain social distancing and other safe practices.

The Richland market also is following the guidelines issued by the health department.

According to their Facebook page. No contact shopping will be required by having the vendors handle products, ask everyone to maintain a 6-foot distance from others, have limited entrances and exits and ask that only one person per household shop.

Vendors and volunteers will be required to wear masks. Customers will be encouraged, but not required, to wear them.

Farmers markets:

Pasco Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays starting May 9 through October. In downtown Pasco at Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street. Information: downtownpasco.com/pfm or Facebook.

Historic Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market: 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday from June 4 to Oct. 24 at the Flag Plaza on the corner of Benton Street and West Kennewick Avenue. Information: historickennewick.org/farmers-market or Facebook.

Market at the Parkway, Richland: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday from June 5 through the last Friday in October. Along the Parkway between George Washington Way and Jadwin in Richland. Information: richlandwafarmersmarket.com or Facebook.

Prosser Farmers Market: No opening date set yet. Information: prosserfarmersmarket.com or Facebook.

3 Eyed Fish Farmers Market, Richland: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays starting June 7 through September. In parking lot of 3 Eyed Fish Wine Bar, 1970 Keene Road, Richland. Information: Facebook.

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Pasco Farmers Market reopens this weekend, but it won’t look the same."