Farmers Markets have been essential to plastic-free living. They provide lots of loose produce and other goodies. For most of the shelter-in-place order, my local farmers market has been closed but a few weeks ago they finally reopened! And like most things, with COVID-19, there were many changes. Given social distancing and new tactics to reduce the spread of the virus, here are a few tips to navigate farmers markets and still reduce plastic.

1. Look for information online
2. Pay attention to the signs
3. Ask vendors to help
4. Bring cash and a credit card
5. Bring your reusables

1. Look for Information Online

Once I heard that my local farmers market was reopening, I went online to find some more details. The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association is a great resource for all the Bay Area. The first week they opened at 9 am, like usual, but the first hour was dedicated to those over 60. The second week, they adjusted their hours to open at 8 am and the first hour was for those over 60. Whatever the case, it’s always a good idea to check the hours and any restrictions such as special hours for the vulnerable population. You don’t want to drive all the way to the farmers market only to get turned away because you’re there at the wrong time.

2. Pay Attention to the Signs

The first thing I noticed when returning to the farmers market was all the signs! (Cue Ace of Base.) Reminder to wear a face mask. Keep an extra one in your bag and car, so you don’t forget!

Signs about social distancing. I’m sure you’re used to these by now.

Signs like this one are important. My farmers market is normally packed. There are normally booths right next to each other and on both sides of the street. Now, the booths are spaced apart and only one side of the street. They’ve also separated the walk way so that area closes to the booths are for passing traffic and the line forms (with each customer six feet apart) in the back half of the walk way.

3. Ask Vendors For Requests

The first week the farmers market was open, my berry guy, Jesus, had a huge line. Like 20 people in line, huge. So, I skipped it since I was in a rush. But the second week, since they opened earlier, I was able to catch him before the rush. He normally has plastic baskets of berries set up and I normally dump the berries into my mason jar and give him back the baskets. But since we’re no longer allowed to reach into the booths, I asked if he would take one of the many large cardboard boxes he had and just dump several baskets of berries into the box.

He was more than happy to fulfill my request and I bought a little extra for the hassle.

My fruit lady, Shirley, had her stone fruits and oranges in plastic net bags. I saw another family member transferring fruits from crates into the net bags so, I ask Shirley if she could just grab some of the fruits from the crates and put them in my bag. Again, she was happy to oblige.

4. Bring Cash and a Credit Card

Normally, I bring a lot of cash to the farmers market to make it easier for the vendors. Also, some of the vendors don’t take credit cards. With COVID-19, a lot of vendors (and restaurants) are no longer accepting cash. So, I thought I’d be fine with just my credit card this last week. Unfortunately, the place where I had bought cherries the previous week had a hiccup with their credit card machine. So, they could only take cash. Normally, not a problem, except I had no cash and they had already dumped the cherries into my bag! Luckily, they know I’m at the farmers market each week, and just asked me to come back with extra cash next week. I felt terrible! But it gave me the warm and fuzzies knowing that there are still trusting people out there.

5. Bring Your Reusables

My last tip is to remember to bring your reusable bag and reusable mask. You need to wear a face covering anyways, why not use a reusable one so you’re not contributing to the piles of discarded face masks?

And of course, bringing your reusable shopping bag cuts down on plastic shopping bags. And unlike most grocery stores, you can still bring your reusable shopping bag to the farmers market!

What do you think? Have you been shopping at your local farmers market? Do you have extra tips for navigating the farmers market? Tell me in the comments!

For related and random posts, check out:

• Plastic-Free Meal Plan
• Plastic-Free Showering