Farmers markets across Oregon take extra precautions and stay open

Farmers markets across Oregon take extra precautions and stay open

Across the state are still legally allowed to operate according to kate brown's executive order.

But some members in our community were shocked when they saw the booths and shoppers out and about this past weekend.

Kezi 9 news reporter emma withrow shows us what changes have been made and if the public thinks they're enough.

Governer brown listed farmers markets as an essential service --- but she also banned public gatherings.

So whats the right move?

One lane county resident i spoke with said because of browns order as well as the severity of covid-19, the lane county farmers market should not continue to operate.

(00:00:17) kathleen gage, lane county resident:?if they can give up certain behavior for a 30 day period to save not only their life, because it may not even be about them, it may be about the people you infect, and you don know who youe infecting?

Kathleen gage said she saw people last weekend standing close together and not following the guidelines to protect themselves and others.

But brian richardson, with the city of eugene, said that big changes were made to keep the farmers market open, one of which including the size of where it operates downtown.

(00:00:46) brian richardson, public information officer city of eugene: working with the farmers market to expand the footprint, it no longer the way it was last year.

It on a much larger footprint to allow more room?

(00:01:00) emma withrow: kelly crane, with the oregon farmer's market association, told me for years they had worked to develop the social community aspect into farmer's markets, but now their main focus is stripping that away and making sure people are only going to the market to get their essential goods.

Crane says the social distancing is not a suggestion but is being rigoriously enfornced at the lane county farmers market by having officers appointed to each booth to tell market attendees to keep their space.

But crane says regardless of the enforcement and precautions being taken, the public needs to hold their own weight in following the guidelines and orders to keep everyone safe.

Reporting in eugene emma withrow kezi 9 news .