March 29, 2020

Many updates have occurred since we first made our first announcement on March 13th . There are still a lot of things we’re unsure of but know we are making progress. We just released an online ordering form for our food access programs (WIC, SNAP, and Fruit & VEG).

Please use this link if you are using these programs – tinyurl.com/OrderFarmFresh

Please use this link if you’d like to find open CSAs, farm stands or online ordering – tinyurl.com/FindYourFarmer

We will continue to give updates as we develop new programs.

Below as of March 13, 2020

Boulder and Longmont markets delayed until May 2nd.

Dear Neighbor,

As you are aware, the impacts of COVID-19 are rapidly changing. Over the last several weeks, BCFM has been communicating regularly with state and local health officials in order to track the situation and develop response plans. We are working to ensure we can continue to fulfill our role as a community resource, making locally grown food accessible to you.

Events like coronavirus highlight the importance of our food chain and how fortunate we are to have a robust system of local food production. Whereas the spread of the novel coronavirus is a reflection of globalization, BCFM markets embody the benefits of localization. The food at the markets is grown and made by people you know and trust. The vendors’ connections to you strengthens their resolve to act in service to the community and nurture that trust.

The operations of the market, however, are not entirely within our control. Earlier today, Governor Polis mandated that events with more than 250 people temporarily cease operations for 30 days. Given the critical role of the markets as an access point to our local food system, including for hundreds of low-income families, we are making a case to the regulatory agencies that the markets be exempt from the event classification. This will give us more flexibility in having a balanced response.

As of now, we plan to open the markets May 2 in accordance with the governor’s 30-day mandate and direction from the Boulder County Fairgrounds. We will take this time to ensure when the markets open they are as welcoming and safe as possible during this time of uncertainty.

Measures that will be taken include adding hand washing and sanitizing stations for customers, eliminating sampling, eliminating food court seating, increased vendor spacing, ensuring the highest level of food safety procedures are followed, and disinfecting exposed and high-touch surfaces on a regular basis. And, of course, the ever present benefit of shopping in the open air. We are also collaborating with CSU extension to give you the highest confidence in the safety of on-farm procedures and are exploring the possibility of a means to place orders for pick up.

Per CDC guidance, we will ask our staff and vendors not to come to market if they are experiencing any of the COVID defined symptoms. We will send all those home exhibiting any symptoms. We ask the same of our market patrons. Please stay tuned as we communicate the best practices in hygiene that we are actively developing with the local health department. These will be communicated regularly through our media channels and posted at market.

We also recognize our responsibility in community safety. Should the mandated closure apply to the markets past the end of May or if we are not able to meet the desired safety standards, we are developing solutions that will continue to give you a means of purchasing the fresh healthy food that is needed more than ever to maintain our physical and emotional health.

We will keep you updated as we have new information. Until then, we continue to hold you and your families in our hearts and wish you a safe journey through these challenging times.

In good health,

Brian Coppom

Executive Director, Boulder County Farmers Markets

March 29, 2020

Many updates have occurred since we first made our first announcement on March 13th . There are still a lot of things we’re unsure of but know we are making progress. We just released an online ordering form for our food access programs (WIC, SNAP, and Fruit & VEG).

Please use this link if you are using these programs – tinyurl.com/OrderFarmFresh

Please use this link if you’d like to find open CSAs, farm stands or online ordering – tinyurl.com/FindYourFarmer

We will continue to give updates as we develop new programs.

Below as of March 13, 2020

Boulder and Longmont markets delayed until May 2nd.

Dear Neighbor,

As you are aware, the impacts of COVID-19 are rapidly changing. Over the last several weeks, BCFM has been communicating regularly with state and local health officials in order to track the situation and develop response plans. We are working to ensure we can continue to fulfill our role as a community resource, making locally grown food accessible to you.

Events like coronavirus highlight the importance of our food chain and how fortunate we are to have a robust system of local food production. Whereas the spread of the novel coronavirus is a reflection of globalization, BCFM markets embody the benefits of localization. The food at the markets is grown and made by people you know and trust. The vendors’ connections to you strengthens their resolve to act in service to the community and nurture that trust.

The operations of the market, however, are not entirely within our control. Earlier today, Governor Polis mandated that events with more than 250 people temporarily cease operations for 30 days. Given the critical role of the markets as an access point to our local food system, including for hundreds of low-income families, we are making a case to the regulatory agencies that the markets be exempt from the event classification. This will give us more flexibility in having a balanced response.

As of now, we plan to open the markets May 2 in accordance with the governor’s 30-day mandate and direction from the Boulder County Fairgrounds. We will take this time to ensure when the markets open they are as welcoming and safe as possible during this time of uncertainty.

Measures that will be taken include adding hand washing and sanitizing stations for customers, eliminating sampling, eliminating food court seating, increased vendor spacing, ensuring the highest level of food safety procedures are followed, and disinfecting exposed and high-touch surfaces on a regular basis. And, of course, the ever present benefit of shopping in the open air. We are also collaborating with CSU extension to give you the highest confidence in the safety of on-farm procedures and are exploring the possibility of a means to place orders for pick up.

Per CDC guidance, we will ask our staff and vendors not to come to market if they are experiencing any of the COVID defined symptoms. We will send all those home exhibiting any symptoms. We ask the same of our market patrons. Please stay tuned as we communicate the best practices in hygiene that we are actively developing with the local health department. These will be communicated regularly through our media channels and posted at market.

We also recognize our responsibility in community safety. Should the mandated closure apply to the markets past the end of May or if we are not able to meet the desired safety standards, we are developing solutions that will continue to give you a means of purchasing the fresh healthy food that is needed more than ever to maintain our physical and emotional health.

We will keep you updated as we have new information. Until then, we continue to hold you and your families in our hearts and wish you a safe journey through these challenging times.

In good health,

Brian Coppom

Executive Director, Boulder County Farmers Markets