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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021 | 11A Florence Farmers Market seeks community expertise The Florence Farmers Mar- ket has been serving the com- munity during the summer months for over three years, finally establishing non-prof- it status last year before the pandemic turned the market into an online ordering, drive through weekly event. This past year, every Tuesday from May 12 through Oct. 13, a dozen local vendors showed up in the parking lot off of Bay Street to provide fresh food products to over 100 customers with average sales over $4,000 each week. This vibrant food market also supplied 25 eco- nomically challenged families with fresh foods through the SNAP program. An additional Fill Your Pantry Event in No- vember provided more than 160 families with end of season provisions and storage items for the winter months. The overwhelming commu- nity support from residents and businesses has helped sustain the importance of the Florence Farmers Market as an econom- ic centerpiece for our city. It provides connectivity between urban and rural, consumer and “Getting new volunteers from well as serving as a civic forum for important issues relating the community with fresh ideas to politics, public health and and amazing talent is what we community development,” said need right now to take our mar- producer and fresh local foods in our diets. The market not only supports families in the community, but also local farmers and vendors within a 60-mile radius. “Farmers markets have been proven to positively impact the health and well-being of com- munities. They provide oppor- tunities for citizen involvement and promote volunteerism as Mary Shaw, executive director of the Florence Farmers Mar- ket. This year, in order to build and expand upon this critical community component, the Florence Farmers Market Ex- ecutive Board is looking to en- hance their volunteer program with the creation of two new subcommittees — Fundraising and Outreach. ket to the next level,” Shaw said. The board is looking for tal- ented and passionate volun- teers to help with fundraising, website and social media man- agement, grant research and planning and organizing annu- al events. There are plans in the works for more donor related pro- grams and community engage- ment opportunities as well as developing robust fundraising campaigns. The subcommittees will begin planning in February 2021. According to Jen Nelson, Florence Farmers Market Sec- retary and Chair of the Out- reach Subcommittee, “There are plenty of opportunities for community members to pro- vide their expertise and enthu- siasm as we begin to set goals for the new year, so we encour- age anyone who appreciates farmers markets, loves fresh food and community involve- ment to contact me for more information on how they can help.” People can contact Nelson via email at outreach@florence- farmersmarket.org or by calling 541-999-4880 to learn about the various volunteer opportu- nities. The Florence Farmers Mar- ket is a local 501c3 non profit organization. Learn more at www.florencefarmersmarket. org. How to host a socially distant wedding It’s likely that few people heard of “social distancing” prior to 2020. Th at changed as the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread rapidly across the globe and the world found itself in the midst of a deadly pandemic. Th e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defi nes social distancing as keeping a safe distance of at least six feet between yourself and other people who are not from your house- hold. Public health offi cials contin- ue to champion social distancing while acknowledging the fatigue that many people have experienced as the pandemic stretched on for months. Th ough much of the world hit the proverbial pause button, life went on during the pandemic. Perhaps no- where was that more evident than at the altar, where many couples still tied the knot, albeit in scaled back ceremo- nies that adhered to social distancing guidelines in their communities. Engaged couples who have yet to tie the knot no doubt recognize that plan- ning a socially distant wedding will not be the same as organizing more traditional ceremonies and receptions. While planning a socially distant wedding presents some unique chal- lenges, couples can take certain steps to ensure their big day is memorable and safe. • Spread the socially distant word. Let guests know what they’re in for should they decide to take part in the festivities. Many people have strictly followed social distancing guidelines, while others have been reluctant to do so. Couples intent on keeping themselves and their guests safe from COVID-19 should emphasize that their weddings will be socially distant aff airs so there’s no confusion come the big day. • Stream the wedding online. Stream the wedding online for those guests who won’t be in attendance. By the end of 2020, millions of people had already “attended” weddings via platforms like Zoom, so loved ones may be experienced virtual guests by the time couples walk down the aisle in 2021. Couples who may need some help planning virtual aff airs can visit the virtual wedding coordinators at Wedfuly.com, who recently partnered with Zoom to help couples bring their ceremonies online. • Pare down the in-person guest list. Couples who planned large weddings prior to the pandemic can still invite all of their loved ones to witness the festivities online, but pare down the in-person guest list to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Limit in-person guests to immediate family and those people who are part of your social distancing bubble. • Plan a party for down the road. Cou- ples can still celebrate their nuptials with family and friends down the road. Plan a post-pandemic reception and let guests know you will fi ll them in on the details once social distancing restrictions have been lift ed. Socially distant weddings may require couples to take some unusual steps as they try to tie the knot while keeping themselves and their loved ones safe. 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