market locations, schedules and vendors remain the same; new COVID-19 safety measures and procedures introduced
In June, four farmers’ markets operated by the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events will open for the season, while a fifth market is postponed until further notice.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four City-operated markets located in Carrick, East Liberty, North Side and Squirrel Hill will introduce a variety of enhanced health and safety measures to minimize the spread of coronavirus.
“Most of what shoppers have come to love in past years will remain the same, such as same days, times, locations and vendors, and again this year, all farmers’ markets will accept food stamps (SNAP), credit and debit cards,” said Brian Katze, Manager of the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events. “New this year will be enhanced health and safety procedures for shoppers and vendors. Also, many of our vendors accept advance orders and payment online, so we're encouraging patrons to preorder from their favorite vendors to limit time spent on site at the markets."
Shoppers and vendors will follow COVID-19 guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the CDC.
“This year’s changes directly address opportunities to minimize the spread of coronavirus, and we recommend that at-risk individuals attend the markets during the first hour of operation when crowds tend to be smaller,” said Katze. “When markets open in June, our policy will be no lingering, no sampling, no pets on site. Also, no food will be prepared on site, although such food will be prepackaged to take and enjoy elsewhere.”
2020 operating schedule for farmers’ markets operated by the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events will be:
Sunday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., SQUIRREL HILL, Beacon/Bartlett parking lot (June 7 - Nov. 22)
Monday, 3 - 7 p.m., EAST LIBERTY, Garland Parklet lot, N. Euclid Ave. & Broad St. (June 15 - Nov. 23)
Wednesday, 3 - 7 p.m., CARRICK, Carrick Dairy District, 1529 Brownsville Rd. (June 3 - Nov. 25)
Friday, 3 - 7 p.m., NORTH SIDE, Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio St. & Cedar Ave. (June 12 - Oct. 30)
A fifth market location – in Mellon Square, Downtown Pittsburgh – has been postponed until further notice.
On-site health and safety procedures at the four markets will include the following instructions for shoppers:
- Wear a face covering
- One shopper per household
- Maintain social distance of at least 6 feet
- Pay with card or exact amount
- Wash/sanitize hands
- No pets permitted
- Do not enter if sick
Vendors will follow strict COVID-19 protocol involving:
- STAFFING – requiring all staff to wear masks, sanitizing hands, designating one staff member to handle monetary transactions, etc.
- SET UP – allowing extra space between vendors, banning tablecloths, placing all products out of customer reach, etc.
- SANITIZING – cleaning areas, tables, card readers, etc.
- ACTIVITIES – sampling and preparing food on site are prohibited
- PAYMENT – encouraging tap technology instead of cash
- HEALTH – prohibiting sick or symptomatic staff members from being on site
All farmers’ markets will accept food stamps (SNAP), credit and debit cards as part of Just Harvest’s Fresh Access program.
For more information, visit www.pittsburghpa.gov/events, follow @PghEventsOffice on Twitter, LIKE @PghEventsOffice on Facebook or call the Special Events hotline at 412-255-2493.
