Photos by Cheryl Landes

In typical years, the Vancouver Farmers Market at the 800 block of Esther Street in downtown Vancouver, Washington, has 165 vendor stalls selling fresh produce, handmade local crafts and food products, cooked food to order, flowers, and many other items. But this year is far from normal, thanks to COVID-19. The market has been operating weekends since May 2, but it’s limited to grocery products.

Now there’s a new online service so that more vendors can participate and anyone at higher risk of contracting the virus can shop the market. Place orders here by Thursday at 8 p.m. for pickup 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Historic Slocum House at 605 Esther Street, where the Vancouver Framers Market office is located.

To pick up your order, show up at the Slocum House, call the phone number listed on the sign outside the house, and pop open your trunk. Workers will place your order in the trunk. If you’re on foot, call and wait for someone to deliver the order to you.

If you visit the vendor booths at the market, follow these guidelines:

• Wear a mask.
• Keep six feet away from other shoppers.
• Bring a shopping list to reduce the time you spend at the market.
• Practice good hygiene. More handwashing stations and sanitizer is available at the market, and you’re encouraged to bring your own sanitizer.
• Send only one member of your household, or designate one person to shop for you and your neighbors.
• Pre-order from vendors whenever possible, and use credit or debit cards instead of cash for purchases.
• Shop with your eyes instead of your hands.
• Dogs are not allowed, unless they’re service dogs.

See the entire list of guidelines for Vancouver Farmers Market shoppers (in PDF).

The Vancouver Farmers Market is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday through Sunday, November 1.