DHDC
The Downtown Hays Market operated by Downtown Hays Development Corporation, is an essential service and will be opening as scheduled for the season on May 30.
The market is open 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays May through October inside the 10th Street Pavilion between Main and Oak Streets.
“DHDC has put significant thought into the safety of the DHM customers and vendors during a time when everyone is prioritizing the health of their loved ones above all,” Allie Glidewell director of events and operations said. “We have been on the phone with other market directors, the police department, and health department to make sure we open safely and successfully.”
In response to public health direction, DHDC has incorporated a few safety recommendations for guests to follow.
Hand washing stations will be available under the pavilion so vendors and customers can wash their hands frequently without walking to the nearby restroom facilities.
Vendors will be required to wear masks during these first weeks of operation. Customers are encouraged to wear a mask and observe social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart from other guests and vendors.
Consider using credit and debit over cash. Finally, customers should allow vendors to handle merchandise, even if you intend to purchase the product.
Out of state vendors will not be allowed to sell at the 2020 market. The market staff is also keeping an eye on high-risk counties and limiting vendors from those areas as well.
“An unfortunate safety precaution is that we will not be serving free coffee from Breathe Coffee House at this time,” Glidewell said. “We encourage you to make Breathe your first stop to grab a cup of joe before coming to see us.”
To help accommodate customers who might not be ready to interact with the public, DHM will be offering a drive-through system for its customers. Three stalls in the parking lot just to the west of the pavilion will be reserved for this service.
Customers can call the market and vendors prior to arriving to place their order. Orders will then be brought to their cars. Customers can also just pull up and let the market manager know their order, provide payment, and remain in their vehicle while the order is filled.
Glidewell said expect many of your favorite vendors at the market again this year. Fresh produce as well as meat, cheese and bread will be available.
SNAP
While there are necessary implementations, DHM is excited to open and provide an essential service. This year, the market will further benefit the Hays community by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“We are so excited to offer SNAP as a service of the Downtown Hays Market,” Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director, said. “It’s actually something we’ve been trying to offer for some time and thanks to Allie it’s a reality. She was able to find the correct path and even secure a grant that allowed us to receive the necessary equipment for free.”
The grant was received from MarketLink. MarketLink is the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Program’s (NAFMNP) complete solution for electronic payments at farmers markets nationwide.
The mission is to cultivate opportunities for consumers to buy fresh produce from local growers. MarketLink is a long-term vision of sustainability for farmers and markets through a broader customer base, increased sales, and profitability. The grant provided upwards of $5,000 in equipment and waived fees to the DHM.
SNAP is a government program provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps to end food insecurity in communities across America.
“DHDC understands how tight income has become for many families in Hays. We are proud to introduce such a great program into our downtown community as more families are unsure of how to put fresh and wholesome food on their tables” said Glidewell.
If you are already a part of the SNAP program, it will be simple to use your SNAP EBT Card at the Market. Bring your SNAP EBT Card to the DHM Information Booth before you shop to redeem Market tokens.
These tokens can be spent at vendor booths who sell products including: meats, cheese, eggs, honey, fruits, veggies and more. If you would like to apply for the SNAP program, visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap to determine the eligibility of you or your family.
“With everything that has happened in the last few months there is an excitement about the opening of the market that there hasn’t been before,” Bloom said. “There’s always some excitement, but it’s kind of just off the charts right now. We are expecting new vendors, familiar and loved vendors, amazing products and just a wonderful time gathering — from a safe distance — once again.”
The market is still accepting applications for vendors. Information on how to become a vendor can be found on the DHDC website. You can also follow the market on Facebook.
Glidewell said she hopes to plan special markets days such as children's crafts. Those events are still in the planning stages and will be announced at a later date.
K-State offers advice on farmer's market shopping
Experts at K-State offered the following advice for shopping at farmer's market this season.
“Shopping at farmers’markets is a great way to get healthy fruits, vegetables and other foods while supporting localfarmers,” said Londa Nwadike, who has a joint extension appointment with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.
Yet, shopping at the farmers’ market during the COVID-19 pandemic requires some extra precautions, Nwadike said
Be prepared. Call the market or check its website or social media pages to see which vendors and items will be available.
“Give yourself extra time,” Nwadike said. “Shopping might take longer with extra safety measures in place, as many Kansas farmers’ markets have updated their procedures to provide extra safety to customers and vendors. Make a list so you can efficiently find the items you need.”
Before entering the market, remind yourself to avoid touching your face and cellphone. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a mask or other cloth face covering when in places where social distancing can be difficult.
“Make sure to use a designated entry point when going in,” Nwadike said. “The farmers’ market may have established separate entrances and exits to avoid bottlenecks of people coming and going.”
Choose items with your eyes, not your hands. Let vendors handle the products you select. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people as much as possible.
“You want to avoid standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other customers while examining items,” Nwadike said. “Be patient and courteous while people ahead of you complete their purchases.”
Avoid using cash when possible.Many vendors and markets accept debit, credit and EBT/SNAP cards.
Make use of hand washing stations or hand sanitizer. The CDC recommends hand washing with soap and water, but if hand washing is not available, hand sanitizer can also be used.
For now, resist the temptation to socialize while shopping.
“Farmers’markets are normally a place to enjoy the atmosphere and visit with the vendors and other friends, but right now, farmers’ markets are importantly a source of food and a way to support local farmers,” Nwadike said.
Consider sending just one household member to the market at this time.
Wash all produce before eating.“Even though there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted through food or food packaging, it is always important to use good food safety practices, which will help control foodborne illness as well as COVID-19,” Nwadike said. “That means washing the whole produce, even if you don’t eat the peel. Wash items such as cantaloupe and potatoes with a produce brush.”
Nwadike said commercial produce washes have not been shown to be more effective than water from the kitchen faucet.
“All the research shows that clean, running water is the best way for consumers to wash produce,” she said.
If you’re running multiple errands, Nwadike also recommends making the farmers’ market your last stop to minimize the amount of time perishable foods sit in the car.
Safety recommendations change regularly. For the most current information on the spread of COVID-19 and the government’s response, consumers should contact their local or state health department or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
K-State Research and Extension also has a large number of resources on the website, Food Safety and COVID-19.
Cristina Janney of the Hays Post and K-State Research and Extension contributed to this story.