The Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market will reopen May 19 under the new City of San Diego guidelines. The market, which began in 2011, was closed in late March when the City of San Diego suspended all farmers’ markets permits. The governor’s office ordered farmers’ markets to stay open along with grocery stores as essential services, but individual counties and cities set their own requirements for continued operations.
FARM TO MARKET
“As an integral part of the state’s food distribution system, markets are focused on core farm produce and packaged grocery items,” said Catt Fields White, director of the InTents Conference and an influencer in the farm and food community as CEO of San Diego Markets. Fields White brings farmers to the city and people to the table at three weekly farmers’ markets in urban San Diego. “At the Pacific Beach Tuesday market, look for farmers including JR Organics Farm, Heritage Family Farm, R&L Farm, Mikolich Honey, Da Le Ranch, Hopkins AG Almonds, Gilbert Quintos Farm and more. Grocery vendors like Majestic Garlic hummus, Bonjour Yogurt, Ruth’s #5 Salsa, Baba Foods, Edible Alchemy fermented foods, Green Fix vegetable juices, and other favorites will also return.”
Markets are not currently hosting food or beverages prepared to eat on-site, or local crafters.
“With fresh air and wide-open spaces, nutrient-dense food straight from the farmer, and one-touch shopping, we think this is the very safest way to shop for groceries,” she said. “One day, the Pacific Beach Tuesday market will be a community gathering place again, but right now the priority is to bring farm-fresh food to our neighbors.”
NEW RULES
Farm and food booths will be spread far apart to allow for easy distancing, and sidewalks will be marked so that six-foot spacing is also maintained while waiting to enter. “One-touch shopping means no squeezing avocados or melons to check for ripeness, so no other customer touches any product before the purchaser,” said Fields White. “Instead, shoppers point at what they want, and the farmer will select the item and place it for pickup. Reusable bags can be used at markets as long as the shopper packs their own bag.
“Expect a single entry and exit to each block, and market staff enforcing a maximum number of people per block and a minimum of six feet of physical distancing by everyone including family members,” added Fields White. “With a limited capacity, no pets are allowed in the market. Shoppers are requested to shop alone and efficiently so that more households can be served, then return home with their groceries. Face coverings are currently required for shoppers as well as farmers and vendors, by San Diego County order.
“As long as community members cooperate, we can provide a safe, efficient way to get locally produced fresh food,” noted Fields White. “The City does require that even family members maintain six-foot distancing at markets so that there’s no confusion.”
The Pacific Beach Farmers Market will initially operate under modified hours, opening from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Hours will be adjusted as new guidelines developed under state and city reopening plans. Watch the Pacific Beach Market Instagram and Facebook accounts for further updates and confirmed vendor lists the day before each market.
