SEQUIM — The Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market opens Saturday as a highly modified open-air experience.
The market — the Sequim Farmers Market with new physical distancing and safety measures in place — will operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be found at its usual location, Sequim City Hall Plaza on West Cedar Street.
It is expected to run through October.
Like grocery stores, farmers markets are included in Gov. Jay Inslee’s list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” released as part of COVID-19 precautions.
Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market (SFAM) is adhering strictly to state health guidelines, organizers said.
The modified open-air market provides space for physical distancing, low-contact purchasing options and the opportunity to support local small businesses, they said in a press release.
Customers will find bacon, sausage, ribs, chops and ground beef from Wild Edge Farm; micro-greens from Back to Dirt Farm and seasonal produce from various producers throughout the season.
That includes arugula, salad mix and rhubarb from River Run Farm; green onion powder from Olympic Onion Farm; honey from Sequim Bee Farm; tea and plant starts from Goodness Tea; baked goods to-go from Blue Mountain Baking Company; as well as chicken and duck eggs and other goods from Sativa Valley Essentials.
Shoppers can expect an abundance of soap, hand sanitizer and other personal hygiene offerings from Smoothie Essentials and Let’s Do Lavender.
New SFAM vendor Ulivo Pizzeria will serve hot Italian pizza, packaged to-go.
In its regular season, SFAM hosts a display of more than 40 local vendors, a live music series and a full calendar of events.
However, as long as businesses are under essentials-only COVID-19 restrictions, the market will not be business as usual. Modified operations will include vendors whose businesses are deemed “essential” by the state.
On Saturday, customers are asked to wear cloth face coverings; wash or sanitize hands before entering the market; maintain a physical distance of 6 feet with other shoppers, and to send only one person per household to the market, when possible.
Other requests are to leave pets at home; avoid touching any products pre-purchase and allow vendors to select and bag products once purchased or bag one’s own items when using reusable bags; wash reusable bags prior to shopping; avoid food consumption on market premises; assist neighbors unable to attend the market in making purchases, and maintain appropriate social distance upon delivery.
Customers are asked to avoid the market when they have symptoms such as fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or muscle aches.
As restrictions are lifted, SFAM will adjust its operating procedures each Saturday according to the most current health-and-safety requirements.
The Port Angeles Farmers Market opened May 9. The Port Townsend Farmers Market opened April 25.
For more information, see www.sequimmarket.com.
