Overview Members of the Delaware Farmers’ Market Coalition, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and the Division of Public Health worked together to develop protocols to be met by all Delaware farmers’ markets in 2021. These current protocols address a change in restrictions as Delaware cases continue to improve and more people are vaccinated. Individual farmers’ markets may choose to implement more specific and stringent protocols established by market managers and their separate governing entities and agencies. What is most important is that Delaware farmers’ markets operate in a way that maximizes the safety of market staff, vendors, and customers. Delaware farmers’ markets are foremost, vital resources where local community members can access freshly grown food and agricultural products. The following protocols will be in place until further notice and are solely intended to allow farmers to sell produce, specialty crops (e.g., cut flowers, herbs, honey), other value-added agricultural items (e.g., goat soap, fiber products) that have been grown or raised on a farm or prepared in a permitted on-farm kitchen or cottage-food kitchen, artisan-crafted items, and to allow consumers to purchase these items directly from family farms and small, local businesses.

A Message to all Market Staff, Vendors, and Visitors If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, a new loss of smell or taste. Other symptoms such as headache or digestive symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite) are potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action, or investigation.

If you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of illness, you may not go out in public. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions – including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity, and those who are immunocompromised, including through cancer treatment – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. We want to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 within our farmers’ market community, so if you are sick or have been exposed, or are at higher risk for severe illness – stay home, do not go to the farmers’ market.

Prohibited Activity for Vendors and Customers

• No social gatherings.

• No entertainment shows or activity at the market.

• No community or agency display tents.

• No food trucks or prepared food for consumption on site.

• No demos at the market, including on-site food preparation or sampling

READ MORE Protocols for 2021 Delaware Farmers’ Markets (Under COVID-19)