Farmers Market Returns to Little Italy Under New Guidelines

After another brief hiatus, the Little Italy Mercato Certified Farmers Market re-establishes operations this Saturday, April 4 under strict new guidelines. Still categorized by the state as an essential business, it will have a much smaller footprint according to San Diego Markets founder Catt Fields-White, who shared, ”Per City of San Diego requirements, the new layout will fit in just two blocks, with plenty of space between the farm stands. That means there’s no room for many of the grocery products that we consider essential. But farm fresh, perishable produce will be in abundance.” Open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market will run along West Date Street from India to State Street.

To maintain social distancing protocol, the market will be restricting the number of people allowed inside the market and monitoring to make sure that shoppers adhere to social distancing rules. Vendors will include 18 farmers and one fisherman, with 15 feet between each vendor stand, and shoppers will not be allowed to touch any produce prior to purchase.

In accordance with new San Diego County regulations, market staff will be wearing face coverings and wash stations will be available on-site. Said Fields-White, ”We’re expecting everyone to cooperate, send a single person to shop, and be mindful of social distancing. If they don’t, the city has made it clear that our farmers’ markets could be suspended until further notice. If they do, we think we’ll be the safest, tastiest grocery shopping option in town.”