Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Food and Sustainability
  •  

Some Sacramento Area Farmers Markets Staying Open After Shelter Order, But Not All California Markets Will

  •  Ezra David Romero 
Sunday, March 22, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Ezra David Romero / CapRadio

Manuel Rodriguez with Rodriguez Brothers Ranch in Santa Clara.

Ezra David Romero / CapRadio

The Midtown Farmers Market in Sacramento was bustling Saturday, but there were no samples as vendors are taking precautions due to COVID-19. 

California farmers markets are considered essential and don’t have to close even after the statewide order that all residents stay in their homes except for essential activities. 

“When it was declared a pandemic it got really slow and then last week people rushed to buy our stuff and we sold out of carrots,” said Manuel Rodriguez with Rodriguez Brothers Ranch based in Santa Clara County. “People were like I got to have veggies.”

For shoppers like Chelsea Elliott, having fresh produce is important as we all embrace life with more cooking at home.

“I bought onions, carrots and beets and I’m going to make a bunch of salads and soups all at home,” she said. 

Organizers are requiring social distancing as much as possible and workers are using gloves, offering hand sanitizer and pre-bagging produce for quick service. 

“We normally sell our mushrooms in trays so you can see everything, but now we are just taking extra precautions,” said Kathy Kokkos with Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms.

She’s thankful this market is still operating because a lot of the farm's business is on hold.

“Our farm has been affected because a lot of restaurants have closed,” she said. “That’s a huge part of our market.”

The leaders of the market are asking visitors to wash hands upon arrival, to minimize close contact, and to allow vendors to help select goods. They're asking people who are sick to stay home.

“We have eliminated anything that is non-essential, but are working to maintain food access so fresh products are making it to market,” said Emily Blaine Michaels, executive director of the Midtown Association. “We want to make sure people can get produce, bread, fresh meats, eggs and dairy.”

But not all markets are open across California or the nation, says Ben Feldman with the Farmers Market Coalition. The group represents markets nationally and says California is a microcosm of what’s taking place across the country. They also offer tips for markets to stay open while keeping people safe. 

Feldman says some markets in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and along the coast have closed or are partially open. He recommends checking your local market or farms social media before making a trip. 

“It’s definitely a challenging situation and our perspective is that farmers markets are absolutely essential,” he said.

Because of limited access many farmers are getting creative. Courtney Smith, with Shared Abundance Organic Farm in Auburn, says they're selling more of their home delivery boxes that include kiwis, herbs and veggies.   

“It’s more than doubled definitely for our CSA numbers and even at the Sunday market we saw a huge increase in sales,” Smith said.

These farmers say they’re the original social distancers and open markets are keeping them afloat as other revenue streams dry up.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

 Coronavirus

Ezra David Romero

Former Environment Reporter

Ezra David Romero is a former Environment Reporter at CapRadio.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

A Sacramento County nonprofit is offering to pay $3,000 worth of bills if you test positive for COVID-19 at their clinic

Some living in 209 area code will need to switch to 350

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

A Sacramento County nonprofit is offering to pay $3,000 worth of bills if you test positive for COVID-19 at their clinic

Some living in 209 area code will need to switch to 350

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.