Local farmers market taking measures to ensure safety

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Farmers Market will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ag Park off of Ash Street.

The market has been implementing a variety of new guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure those wanting to visit can shop safely.

The market's website says they understand if some are not comfortable with visiting the market, and because of this have introduced a pre-ordering system. Customers wanting to take advantage however, need to have their orders in online Friday before the market opens by noon.

The Columbia Farmers Market has also taken steps to keep customers who do choose to visit, safe. The first half hour the market is open is dedicated to at-risk shoppers such as those 60 and over, expecting mothers and anyone with underlying conditions.

All food being sold must also be pre-packaged, and the market has completely eliminated the option for vendors hand out samples of products.

People wanting to visit the market Saturday are also asked to only send one person per family to limit the amount of people at the event.