Farms, farmers markets and garden centers are essential (and open for) business
By Lisa Rayburn, Area Commercial Horticulture
Lenoir, Craven and Onslow Counties
A lot has changed in the last month. For many of us, we have seen changes in how we live, work and shop. One thing that hasn’t changed, is that local farms, farmers markets and garden centers are (mostly) still open. These businesses are considered essential services in accordance with statewide stay at home orders.
These businesses are allowed to continue operating because they fall into several important key areas. For one thing, these are businesses in which it is possible to maintain adequate social distance up to the point of sale. Many of these businesses are essential for food production. Farmers markets, farm stands and u-pick operations are critical aspects of our food supply chain, just like grocery stores while garden centers supply essential services for industries like agriculture.
That said, these businesses have all adapted to further protect customers and their employees health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some farms are offering an option to preorder by phone or text and then have your order delivered to the car when you arrive. In some cases, farms are now accepting no touch payment options like Venmo, Zelle or Paypal. U-pick strawberry farms are spacing customers out so there is adequate social distancing in the field. Farmers markets are spacing vendors further apart, encouraging produce to be pre-packaged, asking customers not to handle produce they aren’t purchasing and making hand sanitizer readily available to customers and vendors.
If you would rather do your grocery shopping at the farm or farmers market rather than the grocery store or if you want to find transplants and start growing your own vegetables, those options are available to you. Make sure you call ahead as some of these businesses have chosen to close for their own reasons or may have limited hours or availability.
Remember that all recommended practices to avoid COVID-19 still apply. Do not shop if you are sick, maybe be sick or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Stand at least 6 feet apart, avoid high touch surfaces, wash or sanitize your hands regularly and don’t touch your face.
The Lenoir County Farmers Market opened for the season on April 11, the market is located at 100 North Herritage Street, Kinston, NC
Saturdays: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Tuesdays: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.
This market accepts SNAP/EBT and farmer’s market nutrition vouchers.
