UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan — They may now be much smaller in size, but there are more than 50 farmers’ markets throughout New York City and with new protocols in place, they may just be safer than ever.
The new guidelines come from GrowNYC and are meant to make sure there is no crowding or contamination of either the product or the people.
There are now clearly marked places for people to stand on line, at least six feet apart, the appropriately socially distant way. Shoppers cannot touch the produce. Tables must have plastic coverings and workers must wear protective gear.
“It’s as safe as it can be,” Gabby Fagnzyler, a shopper, told PIX11 News.
“People are taking it seriously. I can trust not being contaminated,” Marcelo Fagnzyler, her husband said.
At the Farmers’ Market up near Columbia University, one vendor, Sun Fed Pork, even installed a plexiglass divider to separate customers from the meat they are selling.
“We use Lysol on it every 15 minutes,” Andrew Benin, a vendor, told PIX11 News. “And it keeps customers from getting too close,” he added.
“I thinkit’s great,” Kay McFadden, another shopper, told PIX11 News. “I feel the green markets are safer than the grocery store,” she added.
There weren’t many crowds here on a weekday, but come this weekend, when the forecast is for warmer temperatures and sunnier skies, a bit of advice from the head of Grow NYC as we all try to practice social distancing.
“With nice weather coming this weekend, it is better to go early or late to avoid crowds,” Marcel Van Ooyen, president and CEO of GrowNYC, told PIX11 News.
For more information about farmers markets in your area, you can go to GrowNYC.org.
