[Lincolnparkdc] The Farmers Market at Eastern Market
Holtzman, Steve (SMD 6B05)
6B05 at anc.dc.gov
Sat Apr 11 16:42:36 EDT 2020
I assume by now everyone who was going to the Farmers Market at Eastern Market, heard or noticed that it was closed. Capitol Hill Corner received a copy of a letter (sent out by DGS to farmers yesterday evening) that the Farmers Market is not operating today. Note, Eastern Market South Hall is open with new procedures but the Farmers Market isn't. The Situation for next week is ,as of now, uncertain. https://capitolhillcorner.org/2020/04/10/eastern-market-outdoor-farmers-line-closed-until-waiver-to-operate-is-granted-new-rules-govern-access-to-inside-merchants/.
Anybody who doesn't look at Capitol Corner capitalhill https://capitolhillcorner.org/ and Hill Rag https://hillrag.com/ , I would encourage to do so. They've both tried to be diligent in letting our community get important news in a timely way when we need it.
Whether Eastern Market Farmers Market situation is going to change, whether it will be open on Tuesday or next weekend is still not 100% clear.The CSA drop location for tuesdays adds an emphasis to sorting this out. But, if you don't hear something in the interim I would assume it's closed.
As I noted to SMD6B05 residents yesterday, since the Mayor's Order came out, several of us have been pressing hard with the DC Dept of General Services (DGS) and the Mayors office to clarify the situation with communications continuing through early yesterday evening. Without any substantive replies. Councilman Allen, from his side, has been pushing hard as well.
The notice to farmers was sent irresponsibly late. That DGS did not think to also find ways to let residents/patrons of the market know is also a pattern which we all hope will be corrected. If 11 privately run farmers markets can make the effort to get their waiver in place and get approved, it's hard to understand how a DGS run farmers market cannot do the same. And if the issue is based on some decision not to encourage farmers markets, that is fair enough. But, then they should close all farmers market and send a consistent message. Not only is this the current approach (or rather, lack of approach) unfair to farmers and to residents/patrons, it sends an inappropriate mixed messaging on DC government response at a time when we need a clear and unified voice from our city government.
Generally, I would not encourage overloading government agencies with emails given the current situation. However, given that there is an operational reason to get this quickly sorted out, I would encourage anyone who is upset by this and would like to make their feelings known to send an email to:
Keith.Anderson at dc.gov Keith Anderson, Director DC Department of General Services (DGS)
yohance.fuller at dc.gov Yohance Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, DC Department of General Services (DGS)
copied to:
CAllen at DCCOUNCIL.US Charles Allen, DC Councilmember
Tyler.Williams2 at dc.gov Tyler Williams Ward 6 Liaison |Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services
Mikaela.Ferrell at dc.gov Mikaela Ferrell Ward 6 Liaison |Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services
Approved Farmers Markets
If you haven't seen it, here is the list of Farmers Markets which have applied for and received waivers for specific days and times of operation. The waivers are only be granted for one week at a time and are being reviewed based on the overall environment as well as the individual markets adherence to guidelines in the previous week. The list may change as other markets get waiver applications approved. You can check the list on a website created by DC on thursday focused on Farmers Markets. https://coronavirus.dc.gov/node/1471906
The below list will be updated on a regular basis as waiver requests are processed.
Friday
* Arcadia Mobile Market at Oxon Run Market has been granted a waiver to operate Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Saturday
* Arcadia Mobile Market at Deanwood Recreation Center has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between 10 am and noon.
* Chevy Chase Farmers Market at Lafayette Elementary School Courtyard has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm
* Farmers Market SW at 425 M Street SW has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between the hours of 9 am and 1 pm
* FRESHFARM Monroe Street Farmers Market at the Brookland Arts Walk has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday 9 am and 1 pm
* Maret Farmers Market at 3000 Cathedral St. NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday between 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
* FRESHFARM H ST NE MARKET at 13 and H Streets NE has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm
* Mt Pleasant Farmers Market at 17th St NW and Lamont St NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm
* FRESHFARM Columbia Heights Farmers Market has been granted a waiver to operate on Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm at 14th & Park St. NW
Sunday
* FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Farmers Market at 1501 20th St NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Sunday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.
* Palisades Farmers Market at 48th Place and MacArthur Boulevard NW has been granted a waiver to operate on Sunday between 9 am and 1 pm
Note, DC government has also posted on the same website the following guidelines for residents/patrons on visiting Farmers Markets. Note specifically, the suggested guidance of only one household member going for shopping and guidance on not bringing Pets to Farmers Markets. Whether people agree with all guidelines are not, think they are practical or constructive or not, my personal suggestion would be that people take a leap in faith and follow them.
Guidance for Farmers Market Customers
Help us keep the farmers markets a safe place to access healthy food. We encourage all customers to:
* Stay home if they feel ill, have symptoms, or have been exposed to the virus.
* Keep proper distance from food displays and surfaces and follow social distance requirements.
* Order ahead to limit the time spent at the market.
* Explore home delivery from local farms and food hubs.
* Only send one family member from each household to the market.
* Leave children, seniors, and other vulnerable family members at home.
* Leave pets at home.
best,
Steve
Steve Holtzman, 6B05
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov<https://coronavirus.dc.gov/>.
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