City of Northampton Health Department
Farmers’ Market Requirements
The City of Northampton Board of Health released a series of mandatory policies and procedures for all Farmers’ Markets in Northampton.
Effective April 26, 2020, Farmers Markets that operate during the Spring and Summer will be required to file a detailed plan with the Director of Public Health, Merridith O’Leary, on how each market will operate and comply with mandatory policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mandatory procedures include certification that any employee or agent of the market is not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms that include fever, cough, headache and more. If any employee is exhibiting those symptoms they must leave the market and seek medical attention.
Occupancy in the market must be limited and social distancing guidelines must be in place. Each market will have a distinct entrance and exit that will be monitored by market staff. Hand washing/sanitizing stations must be visible at the entrance of the market as all customers must wash or sanitize their hands before entering the market.
A plexiglass barrier between each vendor and the customer must be in place with all vendors wearing face masks and gloves. Customers must wear face coverings. Vendors will provide single use parchment/wax paper for customers to pick up the product they intend to purchase. Reusable bags are not allowed and vendors will provide paper or single use-plastic bags for customers.
Products offered at the markets include:
Whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables
Unprocessed honey
Pure maple products
Farm fresh eggs stored and maintained at 45F degrees or less.
Baked goods, meat, dairy, flowers, plants and non-food items cannot be sold at the markets and no samples of products are permitted.
The policy and procedures for acceptable practices at Farmers Markets are available here.