VFMA Covid19 Risk Management Processes

Food markets are classed as essential gatherings and we're working hard to make sure that our accredited Victorian farmers' markets can continue to trade, and that people can continue to buy food from farmers.  As the situation changes, we continue to review and adapt our risk management guidelines and share them with our members and State Government.  A summary of these guidelines may be seen, below. A copy of our risk management guidelines may be requested via email.

Minister for Agriculture, Jaclyn Symes recently stated on ABC's Country Hour that she would "like to see farmers' markets remain open. Supermarkets are open and ... the same thing should apply to farmers' markets. I attend my monthly farmers' market. [...] A lot of them are moving to online platforms or facilitating pick-ups, and I would hope that that really supports those hardworking producers."

Accredited Victorian farmers' markets are more than simply places to exchange goods for money, and we are committed to seeing them continue, embrace these challenges, and recover post-Covid19.

Summary: VFMA Risk Management Guide for accredited Victorian farmers’ markets as essential food markets

A copy of the full guidelines may be requested by email

Referenced Government Directives

• Slowing the spread of coronavirus: Stage 3 restrictions are now in place 30/3/20

• Ban on community and mass gatherings: Government Direction 29/3/20

• Restricted Activity Directions (no 5): Deputy Chief Health Officer 24/4/20

Anyone feeling unwell must not attend farmers’ markets

Market organisers, stallholders and shoppers should familiarise themselves with the latest food safety and coronavirus management guidelines before attending markets.

Guidelines for Farmers’ Market Organisers

Controlling patronage numbers and stall density

1. Market organisers should be able to count & control the number of patrons on site at any time to ensure current gathering limit guidelines are being met.

Ensuring social distancing

2. Market managers should provide clear signage, ground markings and announcements to enforce social distancing of 1.5 metres

3. Market managers should eliminate entertainment and gathering points to limit density and exposure times.

Reducing transmission risks

4. Market managers should ensure accessible hand washing and/or sanitising facilities are provided around the market to stallholders and shoppers

5. Where possible, market managers should not allow shoppers to enter the market before the opening time

Guidelines for Farmers’ Market Stallholders

Ensuring social distancing

6. Stallholders should arrive with enough time to set up the stall with consideration for social distancing layout

7. Stallholders should remind their customers about social distancing

8. Stalls with multiple staff members should also maintain social distancing in accordance with State guidelines

9. Stallholders should clearly label produce and prices for shoppers to be able to see to minimise crowding around the stall

Reducing transmission risks

10. Stallholders should have hand sanitiser or adequate hand wash facilities clearly accessible

11. Where possible, stallholders should ensure they are set-up to take card payments

12. Where possible, stallholders should avoid handling cash

13. Stallholders should no longer offer samples or tastings

14. Ready-to-eat stalls may only provide take-away food

15. Stallholders should advise customers that, to minimise transmission risks, they may not handle produce