The F.R.E.S.H. Project – Shawano Farmers Market Continues

Guidelines will be taken for safety measures under COVID -19 guidelines

SHAWANO — The Shawano Farmers Market, hosted by The F.R.E.S.H. Project, will open its 13th consecutive season on June 20 and continue every Saturday through Oct. 3.

The market will be located on the 200 block of South Washington Street, near Franklin Park in downtown Shawano.

The market will be open from 8 a.m. until noon for shoppers to purchase healthy, locally produced vegetables, fruit and meats.

“The demand to purchase healthy foods from our local farmers is high and to ensure our shoppers can safely get these items we have implemented safety guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Executive Director Barbara Mendoza.

“Taking information from the Wisconsin Farmer’s Market Association, which worked closely with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Health Services, in addition to coordinating with the city of Shawano, the FRESH Project’s leadership devised a plan,” Mendoza said.

While practicing health-safety guidelines, vendors will be spaced out to provide at least six feet between booths. Each booth faces out from the center as consumers are to follow a specific route around the vendors to create a steady flow of traffic in one direction.

“Currently the farmer’s market is limited in what can be provided. Only vendors of raw food and cold-packaged products are participating,” said Lori Schuettpeltz, F.R.E.S.H. Project Executive Board chair. “Any ready-to-eat food being served at the market will be packaged up and cannot be consumed at the market to avoid socializing.”

The F.R.E.S.H. Project will be providing the Double Bucks tokens at the market every Saturday for people on Food Share, WIC (Women, Infants and Children), and elderly with food vouchers to purchase produce and fruits from select vendors.

Mendoza stated that during this time, the tokens will provide additional food for those in need.

In addition, The F.R.E.S.H. Project’s executive board approved local vendors to sell their locally grown flowers at the market,” said Mendoza. “We decided that as long as the vendors prepared flower arrangements prior to the market, the flowers do add some type of normalcy to the market while other events have been restricted.”

The annual 5K Scrabble Walk/Run, children’s activities and other special events are restricted for now. Pets have also been banned at this year’s market.

The market is free to attend, and free parking is available on nearby streets, at the Shawano Civic Center lot, and city parking lots and along Division street.

A list of vendors can be found at: http://www.thefreshproject.org/shawano-farmers-market/.

F.R.E.S.H. stands for Food, Resources, Education, Sustainability and Health. The organization works with native nations, county government, community organizations, farmers, the religious community and individuals in Shawano County and native communities to build the foundation for healthier, accessible and sustainable food systems by increasing food security, educating and engaging the community.

To learn more, visit the F.R.E.S.H. Project’s Information booth at the market or online at www.thefreshproject.org. Anyone who would like to learn more about the project and get involved or donate can go to the FRESH Project website at www.thefreshproject.org, or contact Barbara Mendoza at 715-526-5206 or barbara@thefreshproject.org.