Province confirms markets as an essential service

For Immediate Release 

Saturday Farmers’ Market – Your Local Outdoor Grocery Store 

Province confirms markets as an essential service 

March 25, 2020 – Peterborough – The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM), which moved operations outdoors as a precautionary measure last week, will continue to ensure customers have access to local food. Through ongoing dialogue with the Peterborough Public Health (PPH), market operations will be adjusted as the situation evolves. 

“The province has clearly recognized that farmers, food providers and markets are essential services” said Josh Blank on behalf of the PRFM. “We are encouraging prepackaging, pre-ordering and prepaying whenever possible to further reduce any risk. We are also asking customers not to bring their dogs with them as they may be transmitters of the virus.” 

On March 23, the Ontario government released its list of essential services – business not to be closed in response to COVID 19. Included in that list are: 

- Grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and other similar retailers; 

- Businesses that farm, harvest, process, manufacture, produce or distribute food, including beverages, crops, animal products and by-products; and 

- Restaurants and other food facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or takeaway, together with food delivery services. 

“People seem to be respecting the need for social distancing while accepting the fact that they will continue to need food”, added Blank. “It’s certainly not “business as usual” for the farmers’ market.” 

This Saturday the downtown Farmers’ Market will again be located at Citi Centre, at the corner of Aylmer and Charlotte Streets and will be open from 9 am. until 12:00 p.m.. As the situation evolves, customers will be updated through the Market’s social media platforms. 

For a list of vendors attending the market and for pre-order information visit: https://www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org/ 

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