Some Farmer’s Markets will open the weeked of April 11 and April 12, having received waivers from DC Government.
The waivers indicate that they have implemented approved social distancing and protocol in consideration of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mayor Muriel Bowser made the changes in a Mayor’s Order issued Wednesday, saying it is necessary to protect the District’s food supply chain and the District’s frontline food workers during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The order was effective as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, April 9.
The order removes farmer’s markets from the list of essential businesses, indicating that no farmers’ market may operate unless issued a waiver. To get one, a market manager must submit a plan to the District food policy team outlining how they will operate and enforce social distancing protocols, and that plan must be approved by District government.
Approved Farmers/Fresh Food Markets
A list of approved markets is updating on coronavirus.dc.gov, although that list currently does not include the Maine Avenue SW Fish Markets.
Late Friday night, government officials granted The Fish Market at The Wharf permission to reopen on Saturday morning, and Captain White Seafood reopened Saturday morning. Jessie Taylor Seafood decided to take a few extra days to plan, and will reopen Monday, April 14.
As of Saturday morning, the Eastern Market Farmer’s Market had not yet been granted a waiver. The fresh food merchants in the South Hall are open for business –bring a mask.
Saturday
- Arcadia Mobile Market at Deanwood Recreation Center has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon.
- Chevy Chase Farmers Market at Lafayette Elementary School Courtyard has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Farmers Market SW at 425 M Street SW has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- FRESHFARM Monroe Street Farmers Market at the Brookland Arts Walk has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Maret Farmers Market at 3000 Cathedral St. NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- FRESHFARM H ST NE MARKET at 13 and H Streets NE has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Mt Pleasant Farmers Market at 17th St NW and Lamont St NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- FRESHFARM Columbia Heights Farmers Market has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 14th & Park St. NW
Sunday
- FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Farmers Market at 1501 20th St NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Palisades Farmers Market at 48th Place and MacArthur Boulevard NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Guidance for Farmers Market Customers
To keep Farmers Markets safe and open, DC Government asks customers to:
- Stay home if they feel ill, have symptoms, or have been exposed to the virus.
- Keep proper distance from food displays and surfaces and follow social distance requirements.
- Order ahead to limit the time spent at the market.
- Explore home delivery from local farms and food hubs.
- Only send one family member from each household to the market.
- Leave children, seniors, and other vulnerable family members at home.
- Leave pets at home.
