Farmers markets to keep operating despite virus

Organisers of farmers markets have breathed a sigh of relief after confirmation they can still operate despite the ban on mass gatherings.

Milton Markets and other farmers markets can operate as normal — for now. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

The co-ordinator of one of Queensland’s biggest group of farmers markets says they have been given the all-clear by the Federal Government to keep operating.

It comes as large crowds turned out to many Brisbane-area markets on the weekend, with some people attracted by the availability of meat, bread and other items in short supply in supermarkets.

Goodwill Projects market co-ordinator, Mark Power, said federal LNP MP for Brisbane, Trevor Evans, confirmed with him on the weekend that farmers markets were classified as essential gatherings, along with supermarkets.

Goodwill runs a number of farmers markets around Brisbane including Nundah, Carseldine, Milton, Brisbane City, Kuraby and Redcliffe markets.

“Non-essential gatherings do not include workplaces, schools, universities, shops, supermarkets, public transport and airports,’’ a spokesman for Mr Evans said.

“This would include outdoor/farmers markets, which are similar in nature to supermarkets but with the added advantage of being outdoors.’’

But he cautioned that the situation was changing rapidly.

Mr Power said some of his markets had actually reported larger than normal crowds on the weekend because shoppers were looking for scarce grocery items such as bread and meat.

“We believe farmers markets are a genuine, very safe and practical alternative to shopping in larger centres with major retailers,’’ he said.

“We believe our markets are not events in line with a music festival, Grand Prix or major sporting event.

“Farmers markets are a retail destination, much in the same way as shopping centres, with the main difference being we are outside in the open air.

“People have the room to practice safe social distancing and our traders have far less surface area that can become contaminated, while practising stringent hygiene measures.

“We believe farmers markets are a genuine, very safe and practical alternative to shopping in larger centres with major retailers.