04/04/2020
Hello friends of the Farmers Market, and everyone....
We are extremely concerned about the Covid19 problem our country is currently facing. With heightened awareness and careful practices, both within our business and with our shoppers, we can work together in an effort to lower risk and have a safe and positive shopping experience.
The following are some of the practices that have been put in place at the Farmers Market...
* Staff in deli, ice cream and cashiering wear face guards and gloves at all times. The executive chef is present at all times to monitor the situation and also wears gloves at all times. (The wearing of gloves discourages all staff from touching their face.) One must be aware of the movement of the hands to the face AT ALL TIMES. In some circumstances is actually better to not wear gloves and to use hand sanitizer diligently after each handling of groceries and/or money. (The improper use of gloves is common among people who wear them.)
* Credit cards are inserted into, and retrieved from, credit card machines by the customer only. Cashiers are not to touch credit cards. Pens are sanitized after each use.
* Each cashier has been instructed to clean the scales (with a 200ppm chlorine/water solution) that each cashier has next to each scale after each and every use.
* Cashiers are to use hand sanitizer after each and every customer (with gloves or without).
* Hand sanitizers are available at each cashier for the public to use anytime.
* We make brand new boxes for customers on request to shop and take home.
* All shopping baskets are pressure washed, and sanitized with chlorox, before every market. (This is an on going practice for years.)
* Plastic bags are always available, without limit, for customers to use as gloves. Also, fitted gloves are available to all customers upon request.
* We have also shopped for some customers, with orders received and paid two days ahead. We select the best from our selection, (wearing gloves and mask) and customers can pick it up at the Farmers Market curbside.
* Utensils are available upon request only, and are not freely available for the public to touch.
* Samples are available by request only and not freely available to the public.
* Samples are given to the public through a “non-contact” transaction, not hand to hand.
* The self-serve deli buffet and date roll areas were removed, all salads and date rolls are now packaged.
* The Farmers Market is open air market which makes it naturally healthier than shopping in boxed stores. Viruses can linger for hours in the air, especially air within enclosed spaces. At the Farmers Market, and for thousands of open air Markets around the world... (with social distancing) is the most practiced way of shopping around the planet. (It is vitally important that all people choose to distance themselves).
* Ice is available and given freely to anyone requiring or requesting it, but it is not freely available to the public (this is an on going practice for years.)
* We have a sink with soap and running water for staff or the public to wash their hands.
* We are trying to practice a “minimal contact” policy with all guests.
* By far THE MOST important practice that has been instructed to each and every team member of our staff, (and every person in the world needs to know) is that the action of touching your face is THE ACTION that spreads all viruses. And that understanding and practice is vitally important for us, above all else.
* Finally, if a customer sees something, we encourage to them say something, to the market manager, or the Executive Chef. They are the owners and want to make any situation a better one by either correction or new implementation.
Where the market can improve is in the following areas....
* Keeping customers more separated from each other standing in line to check out. (This can be, and is best done, voluntarily by the public itself... simply by standing farther apart. It’s simple). People forget because it’s a new social behavior, they’re getting used to it, and people are getting better at it. We will add an advisory sign next market.
* At the deli we have decided to give orders a number, so customers do not have to wait at the deli for their order. We can call out their number to pick up, this removes persons waiting in a line.
* Current events require both staff and the public to be as “mindful” as possible; Social distancing, not touching your face, and keeping hands sanitized and clean, is what protects us all now and into the future. Even with the most stringent of rules it requires a mindful effort by everyone.
* It is impossible to “make” customers more mindful, we can only have reasonable and responsible rules and advisories, and try our best to politely enforce them as well as following best practices ourselves.
* Creative and constructive ideas from our customers and the general public, are always welcome and encouraged. We are listening.
* We thank everyone for all comments, praise and complaint. If we still don’t have it right, please let’s us know, we are always working harder to make your shopping experience a safe and positive one. Be safe. ☮️💚
