NEBRASKA CITY-The 2020 Nebraska City Farmers Market will open as planned on Thursday, May 7.

According to guidelines released by Nebraska’s Department of Agriculture on Friday, April 24, farmers markets are not considered public gatherings under the statewide Directed Health Measures currently in place due to COVID-19. The Department of Agriculture states that farmers markets have the ability to conform to appropriate social distancing practices by increasing the footprints of market stalls and using chalk or tape lines to separate and direct shoppers.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s release also details twenty additional guidelines for market operators and shoppers, including allowing only producers to handle product, eliminating samples, and discouraging the use of reusable shopping bags.

The complete list of guidelines can be found at nda.nebraska.gov/COVID-19/FarmersMarketGuidance.pdf.

The Nebraska City Farmer’s Market will open for the season on Thursday, May 7. The Market is located in the Memorial Building parking lot at 8th Street and 1st Corso and features fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade items for sale. The Farmer’s Market is open from 3:45 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursdays until the end of August.