FARMERS MARKETS HOPE TO SELL FOOD-ONLY WITH THEIR DRIVE-THRUS

HUNTSVILLE — Officials here and across Muskoka appear optimistic that re-opening the economy will soon happen and that farmers market will be able to sell food only to the public.

At its council meeting today — April 29 — Huntsville town councillors met electronically to discuss COVID-19 impact, questions and concerns from residents.

Among updates, they announced that at the two farmers markets in town “only food vendors will be allowed to operate with recommended best health practices for essential businesses.”

It says no craft vendors will be allowed at this time at the main one at the Fairgrounds on Ravenscliffe Road and a newer one downtown.

Sherry Leverdingen, manager of the Huntsville Farmers’ Market there, told MuskokaTODAY.com today that she plans to open June 18.

“Not until the strawberries are in,” said. “People want Ontario veggies.”

And shoppers will only be able buy through a drive-in.

“Nobody will be able to get out of their cars.”

Vendors will take your order from your window and deliver it back to them.

“I want everyone to be safe,” she said, adding she has been in contact with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit about “all kinds of rules.”

Leverdingen, who has managed the 33-year-old market herself the past 19 years, is busy getting her supply of preserves ready.

Over the winter she prepared fruit and plans fresh vegetable products for the summer.

She thinks the markets and Bracebridge and Gravenhurst are also going to be open.

But she says hers is the only “true farmers’ market.”

She says they don’t allow “re-sellers.”

“Ours is 70/30” meaning at least 70 per cent of what’s sold must be grown by the vendor.

Pat Lowen, the Gravenhurst manager at the Muskoka Wharf told MuskokaTODAY.com today that “it’s still up in the air.”

“We’re trying our best to open.”

She said they are talking to the town, the health unit and province.

“Nobody knows for sure when or how or what vedors will be allowed to be open.”

She said it will likely be just food for sale.

It’s all really day-to-day and hour-by-hour and she hopes to know for sure in a couple of weeks.

She said she hasn’t talked to Laura Anderson, who runs the Bracebridge market, but expects they’re in the same boat.

Huntsville town CAO Denise Corry said in an email Thursday  morning to a MuskokaTODAY.com inquiry: “It will depend if the organizer wants to proceed.

“It has been deemed by the province that the food component of a farmers market is not restricted, so they can proceed with opening so long as they only allow food vendors.”

She added that “because it also talks about a limit still being on gatherings of five people. the organizer will be responsible for ensuring that they follow all of the provincial restrictions, includig social distancing and no gatherings of more than five people.”

Corry added: “We are unsure at this time if the 100 Day Market will be opening.”

HUNTSVILLE COUNCIL’S COVID-19 UPDATE:

In addition, the following updates were approved by Huntsville council Wednesday:

• Tax Payments Extended – Council extended the waiving of the penalty on tax payments to July 31, 2020. The deferral allows Town of Huntsville residents the ability to defer interim tax payments prior to July 31, 2020 deadline without incurring any penalty.
• Boat Launches – Municipal boat launches are still open at this time. Residents are asked to obey all posted signage, practise social distancing, avoid gatherings of five or more and wash hands frequently.
• Garage/Yard Sales – Garage and yard sales are not allowed until further notice. Fines may apply.
• Farmers Market – Only food vendors will be allowed to operate with recommended best health practices for essential businesses. No craft vendors at this time.
• Special Events – The status of special events will continue to be monitored from a health perspective and plans to postpone, cancel or apply mitigation strategies will be communicated to event organizers.

For frequently asked questions or to ask a question on town services during COVID-19 visit myhuntsville.ca.

And for a full list of up-to-date information on town services, support and resources during COVID-19 visit online at huntsville.ca/covid19.