Shirley's Farmers' Market is back in Reno for its 26th year, but its unlike years before. The farmers' market joins a list of businesses and organizations that have made changes in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Shirley Sponsler, of Shirley's Farmers' Market said it took her husband about five weeks to design the layout of the market that adheres to social distancing guidelines.
"It's kind of a difficult thing to set something up at this scale, to keep people moving through it," said Sponsler. "This was quite extensive to try and set this up because we have a lot of people to make happy."
Years prior, vendors would be spread apart at a maximum length of 10 to 15 feet.
"It always felt cozier and more friendly," said Sponsor. "We know that people at markets visit with people."
However, amid the pandemic, vendors have more space in between them. There are also markers on the ground that indicate six feet for social distancing and hand sanitizer stations are available as well. Many people 2 News spoke with were disappointed that among other restrictions, they could not touch or sample produce this year.
The turnout was also much smaller than years before. However, guidelines did not stop people from enjoy their Saturday morning at the market. A majority of people were wearing masks as they supported local farms.
Nelson Hansen, who has been a Reno resident for about six months said he drove by the market and decided to check it out for the first time.
"Overall, I think that everybody's protecting themselves and protecting each other. The social distancing is working quite well, and there's a lot of produce here." said Hansen.
Neoma Jardon, a member of the Reno City Council, representing Ward 5 in Nevada was among many others that wanted to get some fresh air and some fresh produce.
"It's just nice to see people coming together in such a friendly and productive way, and our community has really needed that." said Jardon. "This is part of the healing and coming out to support our community is really important."
Sponsler says they are hoping people will stagger shopping times to reserve early morning shopping hours for elderly and immune compromised individuals.
The market will operate at California Avenue and Booth Street every Saturday until Fall, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
As casinos reopen, organizers expect to bring back the market at Tamarack Junction in a couple of weeks.
To learn more about Shirley's Farmers' Market you can click here.
