Worthington Farmers Market Transitions to Walk-In Market at temporary location on West Wilson Bridge Road
We know everyone’s excited for the full return of the Worthington Farmers Market to Old Worthington. Thousands of customers have supported market vendors through the drive-through market, and now the next phase is here: a walk-in market on West Wilson Bridge Road!
Starting on Saturday, June 13, the Worthington Farmers Market temporarily transitioned to a walk-in market at a temporary location in the parking lot of 450-500 West Wilson Bridge Road and resumed regular summer market hours of 8 a.m. to noon.
Since March 21, during the mandated shutdowns due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Worthington Farmers Market had been operated as a pre-order, drive-through market at the Worthington Community Center. The new walk-in market is the next phase, incorporating community and vendor feedback, which allows customers to park on site and walk into the market.
“We’re excited for the return of the Worthington Farmers Market as a walk-in shopping experience,” says Market Director Christine Hawks. “When visiting the Market, customers will notice additional safety protocols due to the pandemic. We have coordinated with state and local agencies to re-open in a manner that allows us to safely continue providing access to fresh and local food.”
Pedestrian traffic will be maintained as a one-way loop through the market footprint, with one entrance and one exit. Entry will be limited to prevent crowding and to allow for proper social distancing between customers and vendors. As with the drive-through layout, similar products will be grouped together in sections to facilitate customer wayfinding and expedite shopping.
In order to meet state guidelines for reopening markets, the Worthington Farmers Market will implement the following:
Marking distances of six feet at key points around the market where people are likely to form a line
Placing hand sanitizer stations at the market entrance and throughout the grounds; all market vendors will also be required to have sanitizer on site
Designating the first hour of shopping (8-9 a.m.) for seniors, immune-compromised individuals and high-risk customers. Masks will be required of all market customers shopping during this first hour. Masks are strongly encouraged for customers visiting between 9 a.m. and noon; they will be required for all market vendors, staff and volunteers.
Customers will still have the option to pre-order items directly from vendors by phone or online
No self-serve food stations or product sampling will be allowed. Shoppers will be discouraged from touching products unless they intend to purchase it. Vendors will be encouraged to select the product for customer, reducing the number of people touching an item.
Volunteers and vendors will regularly sanitize high-touch surfaces
Additional rules and details:
No pets will be permitted in the market
No onsite food or beverage consumption will be permitted
All extracurricular activities (music, Market Sprouts and related programs) will be canceled to encourage customers to expedite their purchases and leave the market to allow other shoppers in.
Market organizers will be temporarily discontinuing the sale of new Market $5 tokens (although previously purchased ones will be accepted), instead encouraging customers to visit the bank/ATM if they need cash. Several vendors continue to only accept cash. SNAP/EBT and Produce Perks tokens will continue to be issued and redeemed.
Worthington Farmers Market
450-500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd.
Worthington, OH 43085
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon
Stay up to date on more announcements at worthingtonfarmersmarket.com and facebook.com/worthingtonfarmersmarket.
