COLUMBIA, Mo. – As summer approaches, Missouri’s estimated 240 farmers markets are struggling with how they will comply with COVID-19-related restrictions. Regarded by many as vital and vibrant community hubs, farmers markets will need to rethink how to work with their vendors and still serve a public hungry for locally grown food.

To help with that transition, University of Missouri Extension hosted an April 30 Zoom roundtable, Innovative Ideas Emerging Among Farmers Markets in Missouri.

Four small Missouri farmers markets shared strategies they are implementing to remain open during the pandemic crisis.

• Ivanhoe Farmers' Market (west central region)
• Oregon County Farmers Market (southeast region)
• Nixa Farmers Market (southwest region)
• Southside Junction Farmers’ Market (northwest region)

A recording of an earlier panel, featuring larger farmers markets, is available at youtu.be/1ioQp_tinOw.

For more information

• COVID-19 resources for Missouri farmers markets, part 1:
extensiondata.missouri.edu/NewsAdmin/Photos/2020/MUExtension_FrmrsMkt_Handout_4.8.2020.pdf.

• COVID-19 resources for Missouri farmers markets, part 2:
extensiondata.missouri.edu/NewsAdmin/Photos/2020/MUExtension_COVID19_SmllFrmsMktPanel_Apr30_2020_Handout.pdf.

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services COVID-19 guidance for farmers markets:
health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/pdf/farmers-markets.pdf.

• Missouri Department of Agriculture COVID-19 resources:
agriculture.mo.gov/emergency/covid-19.