Preordering Service Provided for Quicker, Safer Shopping
The City of Rockville’s Farmers Market is scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, June 6, with market rules and regulations and a preordering program to provide for quicker, safer shopping.
The market’s opening was rescheduled from mid-May as part of the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The market will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 21, in the jury parking lot at East Jefferson (Route 28) and Monroe streets in Rockville Town Center.
The city is following state guidelines that allow farmers markets to open during the COVID-19 emergency with social distancing and other safety measures to reduce the risks to customers and vendors. A state order requires that face coverings be worn at retail and food service establishments, including farmers markets, and on public transportation. Learn more at https://mda.maryland.gov/maryland_products/pages/farmers_market_dir.aspx.
To ensure a safer shopping experience, the city has established the following guidelines for customers:
Before entering the market:
- Remain home if you are sick or have reason to believe you have been exposed to a virus.
- Send one person per household to shop at the market, if possible.
- Preorder from vendors whenever possible. A list of vendors accepting preorders is available at www.rockvillemd.gov/farmers.
- Consider visiting the market during nonpeak hours (after 11 a.m.).
- To reduce shopping time, make a shopping list before visiting.
- Leave pets at home. No pets are allowed at the market except trained service animals.
While at the market:
- Shoppers must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth.
- Observe social distancing of at least 6 feet between shoppers.
- Choose with your eyes and not your hands. Vendors will package all items.
- Keep your visit short and do not linger after completing purchases. This will allow others to enter the market and shop once you leave.
- Consider using electronic payment, if possible. If you must use cash, have exact payment ready.
- Do not consume food or drink on site.
As part of Eat Fresh Rockville, the city helps provide greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables for customers. The market will match up to $5 weekly for customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards and Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the Women, Infants, and Children Fruit and Vegetable Check Program vouchers. Participants’ benefits are matched while funds are available. Learn more at www.rockvillemd.gov/1236/Use-Your-EBT-Card.
This year’s market will include vendors offering fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, herbs, baked goods, local wine and spirits, knife sharpening, meat and coffee.
Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/farmers for more information, including a list of participating vendors and approximate harvest dates for select fruits and vegetables. For more information, call 240-314-8620, email [email protected] or find the City of Rockville Farmers Market on Facebook.