The Regina Farmers’ Market is returning for their 45th year, but taking a different approach to start the season.
The Farmers’ Market has opened a virtual market that customers can access online, with vendors uploading their own products each week.
Executive Director Holly Laird said people will be able to order from Monday to Thursday during the week.
“Once the order is placed, the delivery day will be on Saturday, so we can either arrange for home delivery for those orders, or customers can come and find us at Douglas Park to pick them up.”
Laird said reaction from both customers and vendors has been positive.
“We did a four-week pilot project, and our customers were very excited to be able to access all of the local food and products that we have available online,” Laird said. “Obviously the vendors are thrilled to be able to keep selling their products.”
While farmers’ markets are part of phase four of the re-open Saskatchewan plan, Laird said with precautions, it would be safe to re-open the market earlier.
“We are trying to work with the (Saskatchewan) Health Authority and with the government to ask them if we can re-open earlier — we believe we can,” Laird said. “We’re bringing products that are essential grocery products to the public, and we need a way to do that.”
Some precautions the farmers’ market could take would include traffic control, giving personal protective equipment to vendors, and setting up hand washing and sanitizing stations during market hours.
