YORKTOWN — Farmers markets are essential to their communities, especially during times of uncertainty, according to Gail Whittaker, York County Public Affairs information officer. That’s why York County, based on recommendations from the governor’s office, the Virginia Farmers Market Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Virginia Department of Health, will now offer a drive-thru model of Yorktown Market Days.
“This continues to be a stressful time for all of us. I would like to thank the Virginia Farmers Market Association for advocating for all markets and for the clear guidance,” said Yorktown Market Days manager Mark Medford. “Also, the detailed work and attention that state and local officials have given us should be commended. At the end of the day, we have developed a plan to get local product to the customer while keeping the safety and health of everyone a top priority.”
The 2020 market season opened in April and will operate from 8-11 a.m. at the McReynolds Athletic Complex, 412 Sports Way, Yorktown. It will be for pick-up of preorders only.
Governor Ralph Northam’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order states Virginians may leave their residences to obtain food, beverages, goods, or services and Executive Order 53 specifically lists farmers markets for delivery and take-out services. It is important to note there is no evidence that food is a source of transmission for the virus. The market remains a necessary food outlet for families of all economic backgrounds to access fresh, nutritious food from the region’s farmers, chefs, and food artisans, said Whittaker.
The market will support a cashless model with payments made in advance directly to vendors through their websites, social media channels, and services/apps such as Venmo and Paypal. Under no circumstances, are customers permitted to get out of their cars, said Whittaker. All orders will be prepackaged and ready for delivery through the driver-side window or can be loaded into the back seat/trunk upon request.
Customers can expect to see market vendors and staff taking proper safety precautions including social distancing and wearing protective wear such as gloves and masks. Surfaces such as EBT redemption devices, Square and other credit card swipers and cell phones will be sanitized between purchases. All vendors are required to turn off signature requirements.
There is a zero-tolerance policy for any symptomatic vendors and market staff members, said Whittaker.
The York County Tourism Development Office will provide a list of participating vendors every Monday on both the Visit Yorktown and Yorktown Market Days Facebook pages as well as the “This Week at the Market” page found at www.yorktownmarketdays.com.
Yorktown Market Days is a proud participant in the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as Virginia’s Fresh Match Program which gives qualifying customers one dollar for every dollar they spend on fruits and vegetables. Traditionally the cap has been placed at $100 but that has been temporarily waived so families can put as much of their money as they’d like toward produce under the Fresh Match, using their EBT/Food Stamp/SNAP card, said Whittaker. Customers are asked to follow the same guidelines of scheduling preorders with participating vendors and clearly indicating to the vendor they plan to pay on site using SNAP so staff can coordinate appropriately the day of the market.
“A special thanks goes to the 2020 Cultivator Sponsors State Farm Agent Mark Irwin and Langley Federal Credit Union,” said Whittaker. “Additional recognition goes to Harvester Sponsor Amory Funeral Home for entertainment and Seed Sower Sponsor Parks Orthodontics for providing all the kid-friendly activities.”
Yorktown Market Days is presented by York County and the Riverwalk Landing Business Association. For ordering information, visit www.yorktownmarketdays.com.
