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Buy local and shop safely as
farmers markets return
Story & PHOTOS BY GRETCHEN
AMMERMAN
For the TODAY
Farmers markets grew quickly in
number and popularity in the past
decade, but this year some new rules are
springing up to help keep shoppers safe
as they peruse locally grown produce and
handmade crafts.
Social distancing and masks have been
required for all vendors and, in most
markets, for shoppers as well. These rules
helped residents and visitors get ready for
the governor’s order that masks be worn in
various Oregon counties, including Lincoln
County, as of Wednesday, June 24.
“Our first day went really well,” said
Lincoln City Farmers Market manager
Lori Lemons. “The customers for the most
part complied with the regulations with
no problem, and some even came back to
thank us because, even with all the new
rules, it was a little bit back to the old
normal. But our whole thing is safety for
our visitors and our staff; we have older
ones and even little ones that come to the
market and we want to protect them.”
Having to limit the number of people
in the market at any one time to allow for
social distancing meant an extra job for
market managers but, according to Lemons,
the efforts received a positive response
“We had a little back-up a few times but
I don’t think anyone left unhappy,” she said.
“We apologized but people just said ‘We’re
just so glad you’re here.’ One customer said
the farmers market gives them hope, and
another said ‘I got my berries and it made
my day.’ We’re the original farmers market
in this area and we wanted to open as soon
as we could, so if we have to work a little
harder, it’s worth it.”
While visitors to the market will see
plenty of familiar faces (at least from the
eyes up) a few new vendors are keeping
things fresh.
“We have some exciting new booths like
Brandywine Fisheries who are bringing
fresh, locally caught fish; and Bear Valley
Nursery, who will have lots of vegetable
starts for your garden,” Lemons said. “La
Bonita Bakery came a few years ago and
did street tacos but we really needed a
bakery and they stepped up and are doing a
great job.”
The Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters
Market is held Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm
and is located on the lawn of the Lincoln
City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy.
101. For more information, go to www.
lincolncityfarmersmarket.org.
The Newport Farmers Market began
its outside operation in mid-June and will
continue through October on Saturdays
from 9 am to 1 pm. The market is located
on the corner of Angle and Hwy. 101, and
includes a hot food court.
8 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • June 26, 2020