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If the novel coronavirus wasn’t enough, today farmers will face additional challenges in drawing customers to South Pasadena’s farmers’ market.
The potential for wet weather could threaten business when the local market opens from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mission Street and Meridian Avenue.
The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the weekly attraction on Thursdays, passes along some safety guidelines:
• Stay home if you are feeling ill.
• Practice social distancing.
• Do not touch any produce you will not be purchasing.
• Wash all your produce before consuming it.
• If possible, please limit the number of people you bring with you to the market.
• Wear a face covering.
Farmers only will be selling their produce at South Pasadena’s market as the LA County Health Department has mandated that no prepackaged food will be allowed at any farmers’ market in L.A. County.
“Thank you for supporting the small farmers that bring freshly picked produce to you,” reads a message from the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.
Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered the entire state to “shelter in place,” but, agreeing with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and county health officials, that farmers’ markets are “essential businesses.”
Additional tips for farmers’ market shoppers provided by the chamber include: Maintain a safe distance of at least 6-feet, no sampling, no touching, sanitize and don’t linger.
“…the LA County Health Department has mandated that no prepackaged food will be allowed at any farmers’ market in L.A. County.”
Why? What makes prepackaged food dangerous at a farmers’ market?
I sometimes get the sense that government officials are making policy by throwing darts at a board.