The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is going to be open on Saturday (March 21), but is moving outdoors to the Citi-Centre courtyard from its indoor winter location in the lower level of Peterborough Square.
The Citi-Centre courtyard at 245 Charlotte Street (in the middle of the three apartment buildings on Charlotte, Aylmer, and Bethune streets) was previously the market’s outdoor location.
Earlier this year, the market announced its new outdoor location would be the renovated courtyard of Peterborough Square beginning in May. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board of the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Network (PRFN), which operates the market, decided to move the market outdoors immediately.
Brad Smith, president and CEO of AON Inc. (which owns Citi-Centre courtyard) agreed to let the market use City-Centre courtyard again until the market can move to its new outdoor location at Peterborough Square.
The PRFN board’s decision to move outdoors now was based on advice from Peterborough Public Health and in consultation with market vendors. The move will limit potential surface areas, limit the time market vendors and customers spend gathering in an enclosed space, and will increase fresh air circulation and social distancing.
“The PRFN board has worked with the health unit to implement best practices at the market (which as a food retailer is considered an essential service) and has made the decision to remain open with changes to the market structure,” reads an announcement on the market’s Facebook page.
“This will allow the community to access local foods while supporting local businesses, many whose only income are markets like these as they try to stay afloat during incredibly difficult and challenging times.”
With the move to the Citi-Centre courtyard, the PRFN board is also making additional changes to the market’s operation:
- Vendors are being asked prepackage certain items, to limit all displays, and to further limit contact with goods sold.
- Customers are being encouraged to contact vendors and order items in advance, before visiting the market. A list of vendors and contact information is available at www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org/partners.
- There will be no seating areas, no dish-washing station, no play areas, and no formal places where groups can gather.
The PRFN board is also requesting that anyone who is ill, has recently travelled, or has any had any potential exposure to illness, to stay at home.
Those attending the market are asked to maintain social distancing with other customers as much as possible. The recommended guideline is to maintain a distance of two metres (approximately six feet) from other people.
“We cannot begin to describe our utmost thanks and appreciation for all of you who support the market and all of the businesses that rely on it,” the board writes. “We would like to thank Brad Smith who has generously allowed us to use the Citi-Center for the coming weeks, and we would also like to thank Peterborough Square, as they have been extremely supportive throughout this challenging time. We are so thankful for our downtown partners.”
As for Peterborough’s other Saturday farmers’ market, the Peterborough District Farmers’ Market at Morrow Park in Peterborough is remaining closed until further notice.
