Secretary Bettina Ring Office of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Patrick Henry Building 1111 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219

CC: Virginia Department of Health; Office of the Governor

Re: Urgent Action Needed for VA’s Farmers Markets during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Dear Secretary Ring,

The Virginia Farmers Market Association is a member-based Association of Farmers Markets, farmers, and affiliate partners dedicated to promoting the direct farmer-to-consumer relationship, supporting Virginia’s independent farmers, and increasing access to fresh, healthy, locally-grown food. We represent Farmers Markets throughout the State of Virginia and work to ensure local and state regulations strengthen the farmers’ market industry.

As of now, Virginia Farmers Markets in several counties have had their permits revoked and are now unable to operate. The Association and the undersigned organizations, businesses, and individuals write to request that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) take swift action by issuing a statement affirming the essential role Virginia’s Farmers Markets play for Virginia’s farmers, economy, and communities across the State, and affirmatively equate Virginia’s Farmers Markets with grocery stores and other retail outlets for the purposes of COVID19 containment policies.

The rigorous regulations that normally govern farmers markets exist to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and so farmers markets and market vendors are exceptionally well prepared to enact additional precautions. Farmers’ markets specifically have a number of additional benefits as food outlets including:

• A shortened supply chain means that food passes through far fewer hands than other retail outlets; • Markets are open air with space to move away from people if needed; • Market trips are brief, unlike prolonged events, and average shopper outings at the market average around 20-30 minutes; • Farmers market booths are non-permanent, so products are not constantly being touched 7 days/week, and can be wiped down regularly by vendors.

Farmers Market operators care deeply about the communities they serve, and many have already taken proactive steps to protect market customers, farmers, and staff including proceduralizing staff hand-washing and sanitizing of market surfaces; not allowing vendors who are sick to set up and eliminating any penalty associated with missing market; and ceasing all food sampling.

We urge the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to take swift action to protect Virginia Farmers Markets, and the farmers who rely on them. The wholesale closures of hundreds of Virginia Farmers Markets for several weeks, let alone several months could result in the permanent loss of many of Virginia’s family farms, which out communities’ food supply relies on.

We appreciate your consideration and look forward to partnering with you to help Virginia farmers and farmers markets navigate this crisis.

Sincerely, The Virginia Farmers Market Association

Attached is a list of individuals and organizations in Virginia that support this letter: Kim Hutchinson Va Farmers Market Association Josie Showalter Harrisonburg Farmers Market Kelly Key I agree that Farmers Markets are a very LEAP healthy option and fit in the category of grocery stores as a critical community food source. James Wierman Eight Veterans Farms Ian Littlejohn Blacksburg Farmers Market & Market Jenn Harter Square Park With precautions we ARE essential. See our Lindsey Caroline Felty website for our official statement. Appalachian Sustainable Development www.blacksburgfarmersmarket.com

Michele Cook Paula Dullas Honeysuckle Hollow Farm PandA Homestead Keeping farmer's markets open during times of crisis creates a local food supply. Without that, many people will be hard pressed to peter l francisco find any food, let alone the nutritious foods Lakeside Towne Center offered at farm markets.

Louella Hill Ben Stowe Ballerino Creamery Little Hat Creek Farm

Deb Matthews Rachel Wheeler Chase Your Tail Bakery Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council Small farmers are the backbone of the Lisa Schleser Appalachian Region. Economically, we Nona’s Preserves depend on them as we are rural. If we can't keep them in business, it really will mean economic collapse for some of our Elizabeth Simms communities. Town of Rocky Mount

Julie Kogut Debra Jones Sing-Along Soap LLC 2Connect

AMANDA M DAY Ricky Kowalewski Starstead Farm LLC Lynchburg Community Market

Jana Fedele Michael Reilly Human Race Virginia Foodshed Capital Keeping a supply of fresh local food in our community is important now more than ever. Adam Aucoin River Oak Farm Nick Stavely FRESHFARM John Willard Montgomery Dorey Park Farmers Market Cindy Bunch Olde Beaufort Farmers' Market Maria Hobson

Kathleen Ganiere Sam Lev I am an organic farmer. LEAP I purchase my own food from this market, and these are my friends and neighbors selling at the market. Please keep it open. Cappie Lee Montgomery Dorey Park Farmers Market Lindsay Newsome Virginia Association for Biological Farming Mantana Heim Cooking school Want the Farmers market to continue. My Hugo Mogollon only area to sell breads and to buy FRESHFARM produces.

Judy Berger Ashley Green farmers market Malcolms Market Garden and Staunton We will only be allowing food vendors to sell Farmers Market at the market. Crafters and artisans will not As a vendor, this is our chance to serve our be in attendance. community with fresh local food from our farm. We need this grassroots effort to see us through this crisis. John Oakes

Staunton Farmers market /Harrisonburg is taking a bit hit. Please support the local Farmers market Farmer's Market. Any way we can operate or new rules we can impose to make this happen will keep us small business owners Elizabeth Melson afloat during these next few months. Archwood Green Barns and Town of Warrenton Thomas A Peterson Blue Door Garden, Inc.

Kristie Chamberlain FreshFarm Robert Swennes Field to Table, Inc.

Lisa Dearden RVAgriculture Cindy Quales People are safer at farmers markets than Quales Farms they are in grocery stores.

Timothy Marcus David McLeish Divine Swine BBQ Abingdon farmers market

Cyndi Marston James Marzluff Adam's Apples and Herbs Sweet Greens Farm LLC

Kelli Mehl Claudia Seixas Abingdon Farmer's market Sweet Greens Farm LLC Farmer's market is our primary source of income

Jennifer Cole Clean Fairfax Debbie Burns Santa Fe Farmers' Market, Railyard

INDIA BRAHM Virginia Foodshed Capital

Bonny Rike Chris Cirenza 2 Dye 4 Not Your Mama's Pasta All of my income comes from 2 small businesses I operate and right now, business Aleppish SYR Food services/catering

Trevor Langrehr Rebecca Premock Beautycounter Debra J Moser Central Farm Markets Kim Hoping that they will change their minds! KWE Publishing Please keep farmers' markets open and available! It is so important to our Anita Carshult community. Off The Grid Farm to Table Restaurant Local grown, farm fresh food provides far more nutrition than mass produced, thus Chris A. Curtis promoting health and wellness! Food heals! Blue Ridge Coffee Crafters LLC Eat Well! Stay local! This too shall pass...

Rebecca Vigon Leopoldo Beltran jr Mineral Farmer's Market Leedstown farm It's on a big field on the outskirts of town. People will be craving us by the first weekend of May! Kellee Sutton Cartersville Ruritan Robert H. Greenlaw Earth’s Echo Farm Dora Beltran Normas produce We need these farmers markets open to KENDAL GRONER provide a safer healthier way to get fresh Hollow stone farm vegetables and fruits in to people hands.

Teresa Catron Colin OΓÇÖRourke Town of Hillsville Farmers Market Virginia Bread Company

Nicole Dyer Willow Rosenblatt White Birch Food & Juice Farm to Table Roanoke at Greenbrier Please do not shut down our farmers Nursey markets! We need these to survive. Thank you!

Barbara Edmondson Susan A Miller customers to gain access to foods in this VCCA time of crisis. Don't close. Consider having pets stay at home and asking people to keep 6foot distance from each other. Robin Broder Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture

James Henderson market farmer Nicolas Lovelace Peppers heads Jerry Gorde Richmond Resident Juliellen Sarver Market customer Richard Moyer Farmers markets are outdoors, safer than Abingdon Farmers Market grocery stores. The food is fresher and has been handled less.

Debra Munger Busy Bee Soapery Terry Nelson Dessert Classics LLC

Chelsea Roseberry FRESHFARM Jane Cullipher Farmers markets are safer alternatives to Cullipher Farm Inc shopping at indoor grocery stores. If you close markets there will be pushback from consumers unlike with other non-essential Pat Lloyd gatherings. Sunshine and fresh air has been Patron/shopper a proven method since the 1920s in fighting pandemics. Usage of the markets has increased dramatically as many customers Sarah V Sowers feel more comfortable with an outdoor Sarah's Petals venue. Last week markets saw foot traffic increase 3 fold or more! Farmers were selling out early. With food shortages, Aaron Kline Kushner especially for meats in all major grocery MeatCrafters Inc. stores, we need to make sure we are getting Farmers markets are an essential part of the as much food to the people as possible. food chain. They are at least as important Many customers told us how appreciative as supermarkets since they offer healthy they were that we remain open. Closing the foods and access to the people who grow it. markets would hurt already struggling Closing the farmers markets in Virginia will farmers, and make it even more difficult for do irreparable harm to Virginians at the The Farmer's Market provides much needed worst possible time. income for the farmers. The local food is fresh and the customers are outside when Ian Grinere they make their purchases. This is much like Wind Runner Farm a grocery store providing produce.

Sara Parker Agelasto Virginia Capital Region Land Conservancy

Elizabeth Borst Zane Virginia Community Food Connections Shady brook acres LLC Food access is a key concern, with schools and pantries closed. Allowing farmers markets to operate just like grocery stores is William Clark critical to connecting low income families Moose Hill Worm Farm with healthy, affordable locally grown food.

Mary Pedersen Brett Nobvile Verdant Acres llc Ninja Kombucha Farmers Markets account for 75% of our sales. Mary West Mount Olympus Berry Farm laura farrell Yolanda Zepeda The Taco 'bout Robert Mosolgo

Christi Macomber Ilana Khin Macshack Acres Wandering River Farm Melanie Hall Peaceful Heart Farm LLC Julie Burman One Mustard Seed Soap Company Single mom and sole support of household Rachel Unkefer Market Patron

Jerry W` Conner Four Oaks Farms Carolyn Nicely Bradley Farmers' Market - town of Glasgow, Va

Kathi Shilling Ryan Brink Broadway Farmers Market Campus Kitchen At Washington And Lee University

Meg Hibbert Salem Farmers Market vendor Karissa Stam Bullen Abingdon Farmers Market

Amy Jordan We Dig Tidewater LLC Cathy Baker Our farmers and producers have food ready Flour Child Bakery and available for the community.

Brittany Grutter Meg Hibbert VABF Catawba Valley Farmers Market vendor

Molly Sharp Cindy Abbey consumer Town of Hillsville

Tonya Judd Naked Farm

Fredrika J Teute Williamsburg Farmers Market Bill Wolf Second Star Farm

Keith and Janice Mileski Mystic River Lavender/Blacksburg Farmers Barbara Miller Mkt Edgewood Miller Farm Farmers need this income and people need the food, especially at this time! Shawna Gallagher Dogs on the Run Catering Kristin Fischer Vabf Paige Welch Empowered Plant Cakes Justin Burtyk Bootstrap Burt's Hot Sauce, LLC Michael Rogers

Coriena Witman Mountain Music Farm

Amy Roberts Amy Campbell Radford University, New River Community Old Rich Valley Farm College, VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries, Wytheville Farmers Market My farm in Bland County, Aerie Farm LLC, feeds many seniors and other income- insufficient customers in Wythe and Charlotte Maitland surrounding counties at the Wytheville BCS America Farmer's Market. We hope to be able to continue this service to our community throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Jennifer S Derr Bear Flats llc Katie Trozzo

Barbara F Johnson Timberwood Farm Savana Griffith CBD LIVITY

Linda Rich I am a private citizen who thinks Farmer’s Cathy Cavender Markets are vital to the community and an Monrovia Farm, LLC important part of the food distribution system. Rachel Bynum Waterpenny Farm, LLC Ann Rogers Our customers are grateful for the chance ArborReal Products, LLC to buy safe, local food from our farm. They I am a seller at Floyd Farmers Market. express distrust of Grocery stores compared to open air shopping venues. We are taking precautions to keep hands off our Don Weber produce and prevent the spread of disease, customer, Northern Va. and are more than willing to do our part to Direct to consumer is the best and safest ensure a healthy community and follow route of commerce !! additional safety guidelines. Our family income is 75% from farmers markets each year. Please make a sensible, healthy Katherine Johnson choice and keep markets open during this Fields edge LLC national emergency. Rich Faucher Jr. Faucher Farms Do not remove the exemptions of rabbits, Kevin R Damian ducks or small poultry from the on farm VABF member processing and selling regulations. If you want us to feed people with locally grown meats, make sure the 999 animal exemption Kathleen A. Kelley stays in place or put you effort in to making Art Guild of Greene sure Virginia has no cost processing for my smaller Organic flocks to be processed. There is only one USDA poultry specialty Katie Elene processor in VA and it is a corporate Ag's ASD processing facility. Don't tie our hands, and then ask why we don't produce these products. Be the Avis Renshaw solution, not the problem!!! Lost Corner Farm surely Farm Markets can implement online orders and safe distancing/prepackaging to Chase help you make a YES decision in a OverAchieving Tea responsible way!

Kevin Fletcher Rebecca Feed and Fertilizer store Owl Moon Farm

Ashley Lynch Shay Drake Gateaux Bakery and Cafe ShayD.Arts

Lynn Kriesten Denise R Zito Central Farm Markets Free Union Grass Farm in Free Union, VA Fairfax County Public Schools will currently not allow us to hold our farmers market on school property while the schools are Lee O'Neill closed. While this is standard procedure Radical Roots Farm during bad weather, this is an unaccounted for situation where it would still be important for our market to be open. anthony flaccavento SCALE, Inc

Genevieve Jacobs Fresh local produce is essential to my Josie Baxter health! Baxter Family Farm, LLC

Sydney Sanders Leslie Slusher Fields Edge LLC

Kathy Duncan Duncan Designs Joe Cloud T&E Meats (USDA processor) This action is critical to the survival of my brad Willet business, and my customers' businesses. Organizer

Cathryn Ricketts Anne Geyer Woodside Farm matket Agriberry Farm

Michel C Dash Jorian Schutz Wytheville Farmer's Market Farfields Farm There are potential alternative arrangements to the traditional farmers Chelsea Matzen market layout. But I assume you are open to these.

Lenna Keefer Kim Usry BIODYNAMIC farmer and RVAgriculture herbalist/ethnobotanical artist

Ellen Langford Dr. Natalie Cook Wytheville Farmers Market Virginia Tech

Daphne Clark James Clark 22 Oaks Garden 22 Oaks Garden Customers really appreciate fresh local vegetables! Charles Maloney Dayspring Farm Elizabeth Turkette 7 Springs Farm Miriam Maloney Dayspring Farm Terry Matlaga Bell Great Valley Farms, LLC

Amyrose Miller Patrick Johnson Spotted Pig Holler, Inc. NANIH Farm and Garden Inc

Susan Beachy

Amy Wildermann Theresia Connell VABF LSUHS Farmer’s market are a healthier, safer way to get food then the grocery store. Not to Janelle Myers-Benner mention the nutritional value of the food is Center for Justice & Peacebuilding much higher.

Megan Marshall Helen Stratakes Project GROWS Wolf Hills Coffee

Maria Velikonja Ron Juftes Owner, Carniola Farms, and Arlington VA Seven Springs Farm resident

John Prillaman Alan and Robin Charlottesville Farmers Market Ulmer’s Mountain View Farm

Aileen Morse Bonnie Pega Shy Fox Farm The Great Greenhouse

Michelle Sieling Debbie Lingerfelt Aromas Lingerfelt Farms

Drew Fridley Wendy L. Goodwin Intellectual Property Inc. VABF

Ellen Schrock Pete Sisti The Donut Kitchen LLC Greater Richmond Grains, Inc.

Mark Angelini Kadie Elizabeth Britt Mountain Run Permaculture, LLC Virginia Tech

Patti Rosenberg Chris Bridge Waverly Farms, LLC Oyster grower

Alexia Rojahn Daniel Key Wingstem Farm Truffula Farm

Rachel Palma Autumn campbell Restoration Acres Farm Tomten Farm

Cristin Kovacs marco thomas life and living River-Street Farmers Market

Kym Dunford Ruth. Cecilia Colglazier Country Roots Farm Valley reekside Farm Many families depend on local farmers I grow by organic farm games practices and markets to provide quality food for their I depend on the farmers markets to live family.

RIck and Jennifer Cavey Wagon Wheel Farm Cheryl Bursch River Street Market Audra Sandridge Trossachs Woodland Farm Roger Williams Cedar Mountain Apiary Dan Kittredge Bionutrient Food Association Agatha Hannah Grimsley Organic Growers School Eric Christenson LOKAL Cafe Lucas M Miller Our cafe is a whole foods, plant based cafe Mrs Yoders Kitchen which relies on fresh vegetables from our local farmer's markets. Ann Olson Virginia Association of Biological Farming Dan Funkhouser In Staunton, local growers and food creators Optimal Nutrition are banding together to provide drive- through groceries, based on on-line ordering. This could become a model for Christin Peyper other communities.

Oran B. Dillon Amy Hicks Amy's Garden-a USDA Certified Organic Farm LeeAnn Ellis Food security via locally grown products is Virginia Tech key to this tennis situation we all find ourselves in at this moment. People need access to good, fresh, nutrient dense foods- Sylvia Campbell especially now. Farmers Markets provide HCAT/PHOPs this and in a much safer environment than a grocery store! Our livelihood depend on farmers markets. Thank you for keeping Theresa L Danaher them open, accessible and promoting 1954 farmers markets-an important resource for Open air markets are a healthier option our community. than indoor shopping. See https://medium.com/@ra.hobday/coronavi rus-and-the-sun-a-lesson-from-the-1918- Kathy Cole influenza-pandemic-509151dc8065 Grayson LandCare, Inc. The Independence Farmers Market is part of Grayson LandCare.

Howard Pickett Kayla Rueda Whistle Lane Farm Garner Stewart My wife has 40 food allergies, my 5 year old son nearly as many. Most food sold in the grocery store has so many added Elizabeth Leffel ingredients that we can not get anything my Leffel Consulting Group wife and son can eat from a standard grocery store. If Farmers markets are forced to close you will literally be starving my wife Nancy Lester and child. This is not an exaggeration.

Christy Bertuglia Steven Wolf I'm a consumer who is on welfare and I get Abingdon Farmers Market most of my produce and meats from the Williamsburg farmers market. This has been such a blessing for my family sense we don't Julie Hawkins make as much money and we want to stay I feel much safer shopping at farmers healthy. markets!

Erica Stratton-Kang S.J. Wolf Tricycle Wolf Farm Natural Elements, LLC

Patrick Banks Rebecca Wolf Allegheny Mountain Institute Abingdon Farmers Market

Sandra Levy Darrell Volschke WAPF

Aimee Alexander Constituent Karen Dream Rock Silo

Will Hahn Hahn's Smokehouse / caterer Ann-Marie Koger

Matthew Palma Shannon Krammes Restoration Acres Farm Farmer's Markets offer an open air We've had our biggest sales on record the environment to get healthy food, exactly past few weeks. This proves that local what we need. farmers are a vital part of keeping the population fed and nourished. We're not just hobby farmers doing this for fun, we are Joyce Roberts an essential part of food security. To shut Grayson Landcare down farmers markets would be a great Farmer's Markets are extremely important disservice to Virginia citizens and farmers.

Heidi Jurka Bonnie S. Brooks Independance VA Farmers Market Anam Cara Haven Support our local growers of organic food sustainable meats!

Barbara Byers Judy Brown Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market Weston A Price Assoc

Robert Harris Jr Cameron D Terry Citizen Garden Variety Harvests

Sarah Lanzman Bliss Point Farm

Ann-Marie Stephens Anne Shine Organic Spice Blends | Precise Portions Retired Financial Advisor The produce at my market is far superior to that at chain groceries. John Tinning

Francesca Rodriguez Dylan House Henrico County Government Abingdon Farmers Market

Paul Danaher NAVFAC MIDLANT W at W, Inc.

Mason Hulen Brigitta White AARP / Veterans groups / K of C Please equate them as groceries

Patti Brewer Cheatham Anita Roberson Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund Botanical Bites & Provisions, LLC Many people may require our services especially since the retail distribution Lenora Rose system is not keeping up with the demand. Independence Farmers' MarketNo Additionally, to deny farmers a means to When I heard about this Coronavirus, I sell their products during this challenging thought "Thank goodness for my period will cause life-saving foods to rot in Independence Farmers' Market; I know the fields and not allow farmers to provide where I can get good quality, fresh, some for their families. organic produce through the coming months.” Dave White Crosspointe resident Self Employed Accountant; The Office Art Many of our local farmers are not tech Guy savey and couldn't change over to online Farmers markets help support a strong orders/delivery readily immune system!

Bette Rae Bevan

Fredrick H Knack Wytheville Farmers Market Megan Burdick

Wilmer Zook Dayna Patrick Botetourt Farmers Market Being an outside market makes this the Gina Paige most healthy way to support local business.

Wilmer Zook Ellen Ussery

Eduardo Castro Bonnie R Cohen Valley Wellness The Virginia Association for Biological Farming

Eli Chandler Thorvin, inc. George Smith VBGA

Tamara McNaughton TNT Farm N Greenhouse Theresa Allen Peace and Harmony Farm

Erica Jones Virginia Cooperative extension Harriet H. Meinecke I have more confidence in buying locally Michelle McKenzie grown, nutritious food from vendors I know, Bellair Farm CSA and know their farms, than purchasing at grocery stores. I feel safer purchasing food and items at the Independence Farmers Market, than going into commercial stores.

Bonnie P Kidd Jerry Kelly Arlington Forest Cedar Hill Homestead We have gone to this farmers' market for 20 years!

Debbie Gagon Seeds of Faith Farm Roger H Henderson VABF Member

Dorothy McIntyre Forest Farmer's Market LLC Devona Bell

Kimberly Bissel Wanda Bullard Citizen Please make the farmers markets like Michelle Nace grocery stores where the virus is concerned Resident

Fran Elrod

Mark Schonbeck Virginia Association for Biological Farming Nancy J. Liebrecht I am a consultant in sustainable agriculture, Blue Ridge Fiberworks a research associate with OFRF, and policy I depend on the market to get fresh food not liaison for VABF available in my local grocery stores

Donna Schick

Marcia Geyer Karen Rawlings

Amanda Crumpler Franklin Farmers Market Christine S Sparks

Paula O'Keefe Suzanne Alexander Independence

Mark Medford Village Events Ethan Register

Marie Spaulding Deborah Kushner Atelier Farm

Alex Peters Botetourt Farmer’s Market John Venskoske J & W Farm, LLC

Marie Smith Moose Acres Farm Benjamin Clark As a small farmer the local Farmer's Market Glow Holistic is my primary outlet for getting my fresh Our income is generated through the produce to the people of my community. markets and we are fiscally impacted to a great degree by the closure of markets.

Tonya Newsome The Hoot LLC Kate Sprague Resident of Fauquier County We need to support our Farmers Markets Deidre Thigpen and we need this valuable food source more Wytheville Farmers Market than ever right now.

Kate Meyer Sam Spaulding Milby Barn Studio & Chatham Flower Farm Arlington Forest I am on the board of the Delmarva Farmers Union that supports, certifies and includes farmers , restaurants and farm markets that Michelle Wells are 90% local Hearthstone Farm

Delora Gillman Brian William Burton Weston Price Foundation B & B Culinary LLC

Susan Hill Sue Marek Small farm conference Mareks Farm Market

Jenifer Musselman Don Owens I feel there is a great deal of overreaction to Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets this virus. Leaders can lead by keeping Cooperative things as normal as possible. LVHMC markets also double SNAP dollars, which means that many in our community who are in the greatest need of obtaining Austin Mandryk fresh food, have access to the foods they Communities in Science need. I am a faithful customer of Farmers Markets in Northern Virginia. I am counting on them as a sustainable source of groceries, meat, Suzanne Ashley bread, etc during this time of crisis. Just as SuzThrives! people enter SMs obeying rules of Holistic Master Health and Life Coach distancing and disinfection, they can do the same as they go to FMs. We have to be not only health and hygiene- responsible but Henry s. Braithwaite jr socially as well. There are far too many Max the knife sharpening individuals losing their jobs every single day due to the pandemic. Let's not add farmers and vendors to the list. Please keep them Anne Earle Strange open. Weston Price Foundation/ Reston Farm Market Once our farmers market open, I do all my Lara Kunkler grocery shopping there and so do many of Market Patron our friends and neighbors.

Nancy Maurelli Donald Stewart Goose Creek Gardens LLC Patron of Farmers Markets THANKS for thinking about this proactively.

Gail Murphy Laura Gossin VABF, Dorey Park Farmers Market

Richard Cheatham

Debra Lubar Moore Gary Fralin Farm market shopper Kim Usry I shop at Portsmouth Virginia Farmer's market.

Tara Fuller Jane Brummer Local medical center

Patricia King Sylvia Lehman I don't shop in grocery stores. I rely on Lida Anestidou farmers markets and direct purchases to supply my family with fresh, safe, nutritious food. Kim Farmers market produce is the main staple Bruce Burgess of my diet. Healthier food in less crowded environment and cheaper.

Kim Serocki Lena McDonald

Margo Solod i depend on the local market for a great Jim Jones deal of my food. Lexington Farmer's Market

Thomas H. Bruguiere, Jr. Katie Speicher Dickie Bros Orchard Waterpenny Farm

Annette Kuebler David & Nicole Schauder Weston Price Foundation Permaculture Gardens LLC

Rosina Snow Sarah Dachos Director of Christian Discipleship/Wesley Farmer Veteran Coalition UMC We dont operate any farmers markets, but our members attend many across the state. We have ~ 800 members in Virginia (and Jeff S Gregson 17,000 nationwide). Bees and Trees Farm

Britton Barbee Clinton Allen Virginia Association for Biological Farming Allens Farm

Kimberly Brundage Alisa Cowen Kim Brundage Photoraphy Cowen Design Group Please keep the farmer’s markets open for I rely on Farmers' Markets for my fresh healthy food choices. produce, meat, eggs and baked goods.

Robert Wood Arden Jones Woodsong Naturals Farm great day gardens Galax Veterinary Clinic Ben Kessler Farfields Farm Steven McFaden Bedford Va Farmers Market

Michael Grantz Great Day Gardens LLC Adrienne Davis and Earl white Big Indian Farm Inc. In this time of uncertainty we strongly Randall Rhyne believe that there is strenght in our local New Morning Farm, LLC economy that protects the quality of foods and our patrons. We urge you to strongly consider our request, as fresh food access is Randall Rhyne extremely important to people who shop at Two Veterans Farms farmers market. Also, please do consider the impact of market closures on local farmers who provide local access to fresh Pam Bailey quality foods. Closing the markets will be a Bedford County Economic Development grave disservice to our local community.

Michelle Pridgen Abby Williams Nicolo Independence Farmers Market, Grayson It is crucial to the community of LandCare Windy Hill Farm Independence, Virginia and surrounding counties that we continue our work to provide and distribute local food. Scott Sink Hethwood Market Gary Hall FRESHFARM Jerry Moles Blue Ridge Plateau Initiative, Inc. Our role is developing the infrastructure Chris Nestor required for regional farmers to participate VABF in discriminating and high value markets.

Tony Daniel Annabelle Lane River Street Market

Kenneth B Sloane Michelle Smithfield Farm and Garden Farmer

Robert W Meinecke John Lovaas Reston Farmers Market Tom Grigsby Go for it! Consumer

Ben Narduzzi Margaret Ruhe Zesty Zymurgy Ferments Long & Foster Real Estate Inc I shop my local Farmers Market every week and it is my go to source for meat & Kelly Bennett vegetables Botetourt County taxpayer FarmersΓÇÖ Markets are as valuable to our communities as the grocery store. ItΓÇÖs a Melissa Marshall way to connect to and support the Marshall Nutrition community, as well as to purchase healthy food. Beth Reynolds Drakes Branch Farmers Market Jan B Hermansen ManyBlueHills Farm Many people depend on the local Farmers Frank Bertuglia Markets Baker

Barbara Jean Barlow Virginia Community Food Connections Joe Marshall Headlong Production Brian Garretson Tomten Farm Katharine Rhamey UVA

Robert Stratton Farmville Community Marketplace alexandra antero In addition to being the market manager for costumer the Farmville VA market, I am also a vendor We need to protect our farmers, they can at that market and the Drakes Branch take the same precautions and make it market in Charlotte County. work.

Jonathan T Root Mac Harvest Table Farm Southern exposure seed exchange

I would rather shop fresh local foods in an Regina Yurkonis open air setting than imported products in a store.

Jerry Becker Pa Country Equipment Annette Naber

Gaylia (Gay) Prejean Laura E Mayer

Rose Cnudde I love farmers markets. It supports the local Emily Miller economy SBCFAP

David L. Via Piedmont Environmental Council Ameya King Good work, well appreciated. Customer of Farmers markets

Calib Miller Meade Anderson VAFMA I lease land to farmers who participate in Thank you for your time and consideration farmers markets in this critical moment!

Sabrina Walker Melissa Gladwell-Sayre Independence Farmers Market Main Street Lexington

Steve Taylor Richard Friend Taylor Made Chocolate, Inc Retired Chef I would be a customer not a vendor.

Holly Parker Moon & Stars Farm Lorraine Potter The farmers markets are safer than an Inga Foundation indoor grocery store.

Jazmyne Ortiz Jessica D Wright Heliotrope Brewery I attend the farmers market in a weekly basis eve during the winter. It is how I can afford about 80% of my grocery bill every Southern Fork Farm week!

david king Abingdon Farmers Market Charity Furness Experience Old Town Warrenton Thomas Vasilopoulos Friends of Urban Agriculture Arlington Julia Turner Former farmer Polly Hieser Seven Springs Farm CSA Richard Patterson Serenity Farms Annie Malloy Take 2 Publishers William W Shaw

Brittanie Ben Harder Den Hill Permaculture We need to keep providing this valuable Claire Suen resource to our community

Juliette Doyle Lucy Overstreet NOFO Soaps IdleWild Farm Local food is safe and clean. B West

Evrim Dogu Sub Rosa Bakery

Joyce J Rouse Becky Lillywhite small biz owner Center for Rural Culture /FallLine&Local We count on our market for fresh healthy Roots produce Our farmers need this!

Dillon Edwards Bird house farmers market Virginia Smith Hannah Patrick Jennifer G National Young Farmers Coalition

Larry Lewis CarolineΓÇÖs Lewis I do not see any compelling reason to Staunton Farmers Market exclude Farmers Markets from being in the There are many seniors in our town same category as Grocery stores. Sorter including and the farmers market is a vital supply chains, less handling and generally source of food for us. Given that itΓÇÖs better, fresher products make this a win for outdoors, we believe it’s much safer from consumers. coronavirus than a grocery store, and we ask that you allow markets to stay open.

Richard Vendor @ Harrisonburg Farmers Market Tish Folsom Springdale Water Gardens

Sandra Vann Vann Premium Pork Lou Ann Neely Riven Rock Farm

Julie Harry Justin Riederer

Michael Dudley Meadow Acre Gardens William N Hale All-Farm Organics

Ray Herndon Ray's Virginia Produce Siobhan Ford-Holland

Jamie Gerome Julian Cha Harrisonburg Farmer's Market patron Hospital

Mary Delicate Sue Collins MaryDelicate.com Shopper

Tamie Perryman Teresa Clayton M2 Flowersand More None

Sylvia Martin Bedford VA Farmers Market GCSAC Tara Williamson Botetourt Farmers Market Katie Hoffman Thank you so much for the support. Fall Line Farms and Local Roots

Erin Lisenby Carolina Donahue Sweet Land Farm Grit and Glam Farm Please also advocate for stimulus funding for farmers. We have already missed Robert Lisenby markets, have restaurant accounts closed Sweet Land Farm and we are already suffering. We look forward to continuing to provide food for our community but cannot survive without Dan Lefever markets. BioRational Resource Look on this as a way to stimulate local economies by having a direct supply chain Celia Rutt to consumers, it likely will have long term Virginia Foodshed Capital consequences as more people embrace buying local

Mitch Wapner Paradox farm Robert Ferrell VABF My Farmer's market is the best source of Beth Kuhn locally grown organic food. This is critical to We need to support local farmers through good health. Please help these markets this crisis. If needed, modify how farmers survive this crisis. markets operate, but do not close them. Thank you. Consumers also need healthy, freshly picked produce in order to stay well. Allison Minehart

MATTHEW POWELL BLACK CREEK FARM Mugsy Lunsford DogTown Lounge

Ryan Staab Capstone Mushroom Katy Vander Woude I am a weekly attendee of our local farmers market and GREATLY rely on their fresh Erika McFaden produce all spring, summer and fall to help keep my family healthy and to supply my garden, as they are a trusted source of Danielle Bonvini good, nourishing food. My family greatly relies on our local farmers market to supply us with food to eat and for our garden. Jacklyn Best Thank you!! Feathers for Pleasure If stores can sell products from farmers then the farmers should be able to sell their Elise Scott products. Pearl Fine Teas

Christine Lucaciu Walter burnett Huckle & Goose Three Springs Farm/Lynchburg Community Market Farmer's Market is my primary source of Martha Magroski income local resident

Carol Shapiro Ed Choplin Copper and Corks

Jenna Farmer and customer Brandon Wolford Town of Wytheville Parks & Recreation

Sherry MacLaughlin Nicole Harmon

Kelly Wright

Tonya Newsome The Hoot All Natural Molly Kroiz Georges Mill Farm Artisan Cheese Ginny Gum Guncotton Coffee and Gallery

Pam Kenney Allison Jarvis

Sinai McGrady I am a patron not a farmer or vendor Brian Doyle Doyle's Greenhouse and Produce As a farmer of Fresh local produce and vegetable starts to grow your own it is Mary Fouse essential that we are able to bring our Aromatic Synergy Corp products to markets during this time of This is needed not only for the public but uncertainty. The less people that handle the the farmers food before you consume it the better we will be able to control the spread of this awful virus. Saul Pasco Owner at Apple Horse Farm Meats

Sharon Ward If the national distribution chain begins to Connie Rogers break down, local farmers will be critical in Lost Acre Farm providing citizens with fresh food. Please do not be short-sighted. We need our farmers. Nancy Murphy Wellness Connection Farmers Market Penelope Ferguson Citizen Let's Win!! Caroline Peterson Thank you! The farmers market is the Beth Austin anchor of our health and of our community! Spotsylvania Farmers market

Justine Jackson-Ricketts Robin Cummings Bon Air, Virginia

Keya Christine Bowlen Virginia Association of Biological Farmers Amanda I buy more food at my local Farmers Market VCU health than I do at the grocery store. Please keep the markets open

Jeremy Adam Musselman Cardinal State Butchers Bill Ahrens Mount Alto Sungrown, LLC Supporting and enabling more farmers Alexander Moore markets now is a great thing for everyone. Anathallo Acres Please help accelerate a program that puts more safe, nutritious, local food into Virginia's communities. Thank you! Kathleen

Lynne Ferguson

Sienna So Paloma’s Farm Suzanne Reamy We need access to fresh healthy food more self-employed than ever. And we need small farms to help us through it.

Summer Rain Ursomarso My parents are both vegetable growers and Tray Allen distributors. In times of crisis, local farmers Experience Old Town Warrenton are the ones that support communities. Give them a way to stay afloat now and they will provide for communities when we need it Rose Ransom most. Agriberry

Amanda Holland John haddad Holland Custom Signs Epicuriousities

donald b call Sorchae Aaron

Todd garabedian Edward Savage Oak Top Farm LLC Savage Acres, LLC As a small farm, especially being our first year farming, without the markets could be the end of my farming career. We need the Erica Wells farmers markets, they are critical to A Waste Not Kind Of Life providing alternative food outlets to the Local farmers who support sustainable community in these times when the food growing practices are critical for the future sources are uncertain. of our food system. We must be able to support them and farmers markets are the best way how. Saswati Khandat SHRM

Brad Constable Russ Crumptown Farm Oak Top Farm

Angie Benge Cake maker Susan Freesen Harrisonburg Farmers Market Tracie Harrah This is the safest place to purchase local Under The Green Umbrella business owner foods and produce. Vendors are more and local food shopper concerned about the safety of their We need local food. It is the safest customers and their products, because it is their name and business. Contamination is less likely as the booths are outdoors. Please Amanda Faller keep Farmers Markets open. Amy’s Garden

Judith McGeary Lola Ann Majure Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Weston Price Foundation It would be great if you could adjust the form to allow for individuals to sign on as well. Tara Powers Vanilla & Bourbon My families main source of income is Nancy O'Neal farmers markets, closing them would be Silk by Nancy devastating to my family and other small businesses and farmers. Big box companies can weather the storm but is micro Anne Hershbell businesses can not without our farmers Consumer markets. I am a farmers market consumer who wants continued access

Clara Vaughn Gary D. Lynch Accomack-Northampton Planning District Hen Fruit Farm Commission One role in my position at the PDC is promoting economic opportunities for Paul Winston farmers. Richmond

Rebecca Zirkle White Austin Green Hatch Kitchen RVA Faith Phillips

Deb Manzari Julia Mason Mason International Trade Richard Nunnally

Amys organic garden Rebekah Hartman Richmond Integrative and Functional Medicine Robert Noriega, MS Healthy Living and Learning Center @ Petersburg Library Tomi Kaiser

Meredyth Archer D Smith MOTHER shrub Locally, I can find local meat and produce that I can't count on chain stores for. And do marilee Mifsud so in an open-air environment that seems University of Richmond patently safer than huge high traffic stores with trucked food from all over. This is important to consumers and to the small Zachary Zwart businesses and communities involved! Porterfield Run Farm

Erin Downs Jil Davis Henrico County Public Schools ThorneBrook Farms

Teresa Frantz Tori IOW Dept of Tourism Chesterfield resident A lot of my vendors / farmers are dependent Many businesses rely on these being open. upon the markets for their living. With brick and mortar stores closing left and right. The strain on our grocery stores to adequately shop it just doesnt seem like Eileen mellon the best idea to shut down farmers markets Richmond magazine right now.

Rebecca Hickman Marina Stevenson Harrisonburg Farmers Market

Leigh Greener Please allow farmers markets to operate Melissa Bradley

Susanne Cummings Stephanie Anderson

Kate Koconis Adam Bresa Floyd Eco Village Farm Piemonte Kitchen & Garden

Ted Greener England Avis Allegheny Mountain Institute - Staunton City Schools D.E.Coghill As a consumer I can tell you I would much rather buy produce direct from the farmer, Heather Cribb usually in an open air environment. This is Virginia Fresh Match much better than a closed grocery where countless people have had contact with my produce. It's much less likely that my Allen Hancock produce has been handled by more than a Buddy’s BBQ couple of folks. Please, for the health of consumers, keep our farmers markets open!

Sara Holloway Please keep farmer’s markets open!!! Alicia O'Mara I'm a regular patron of the two markets closest to me. I prefer them for the majority Amber Vallotton of my food purchases Virginia Tech-SPES I fully support this with the idea that all precautions are taken to protect public Bradley Yoder health and adherence to best handling Wytheville Farmers Market practices. I and several of my colleagues have been involved with many trainings (throughout the state) aimed at market Jessica Rice farmers to train and equip them in risk Potomac Vegetable Farms assessment and handling practices. I Farmers markets are vital to those who cant absolutely agree that farmer's livelihoods access grocery stores or need more food need to be protected during this challenging availability options or for health reasons time. I also think an argument could be made that farmers markets are just as safe, if not safer, than retailers. Further, there Elise Warmbrod are steps farmers markets could take to provide more space to reduce crowding, or options for purchasing. Please take an Jeremy Elder approach that is well thought out rather elderhouseArts than a knee jerk reaction.

Jane Brookman Sandra Sarlinga We depend on our Farmers Market for all of our fresh vegetables and fruit. KC Whitsett

David Roberts Regular Shopper at several Farmer's Donna Markets As a consumer, please leave the farmers The vendors from which I buy provide the markets open! highest quality, local produce, that is minimally touched and processed, and is much better than what is available at Mark Heaney commercial stores. Green Acres Family Farmstead, LLC

Diane Cline SHEILA D JOHNSON Thinking of You Creations

Sibylle Thaler Virginia Tech Anthony Muilenburg

Tiffany Payne

Dustin Monique Eden SoulShine Farms FCSC

Amy Page Meagan Lydia's Fields MTO KOMBUCHA

Scott Ramsey Deirdre Hackleman VCU Forge Feral

Kim Woodwell Justin McKenzie City of Charlottesville Leslie Vanover Marion Farmers Market Erin Nolon

Tracy Frey Debbie Belcher Virginia Farmers Market Association The economic impact this is having on small It is safer to shop in smaller groups outside businesses like farmers, bakers and in the open air than inside a closed grocery watermen cannot be understated. As we store. Our customers view their farmers were just coming out of a mild winter with market AS their weekly grocery store. Many little income, a shut down of farmers of them don’t shop elsewhere. markets across the state has been devastating, already. Please allow farmers markets to remain open to provide much William C Hatchett needed food to our communities and a source of income for very vulnerable small business owners. Emily Caldwell VA Foodie Local makers and farmers are the life blood Cyndee Scible of the commonwealth!

Tina Cunningham Liz Faucher Bear Tree Farms Apiary Leap Frog Farm

Naomi Desilets Don Dillon Allegheny Mountain Institute Full pocket farm

Holly Sara Hudson Oak Top Farm West End Farmers Market; St. Stephen's Farmers Market I am a faithful customer at several Laura Lemmon Richmond area farmers markets, as well as the parent of a farm employee. Now, more than ever, we need healthy locally-grown Joanne Allen food. And, we need to support our local Spotsylvania County Farmer's Market farmers. Shopping at the farmers market is I would be a complete waste to turn away less risky than shopping at the grocery fresh local food from our farmers. Why store, and it must be preserved for the wouldn't it be safer to shop outside in the health of our families. fresh air where there are not a lot of people? So much safer than walking into a grocery store! Yhanni

Jill Doczi Barbara Rosholdt Western Branch Farmers Market Virginia Association of Biological Farmers I frequent many farmer's markets. Regular market shopper at Harrisonburg Farmers Market Valerie Salmon Under the Green Umbrella Lisa Specter-Dunaway

Kelly Highfill These markets keep us fed when the grocery Alice Phillips stores run out! Please dont shut out our This is safe enough, important for citizen food sources and their income! health, and vital to the community economy. It is no less safe than going to Target or the grocery store. Ann G. Harrell Catawba Valley Farmers Market GINGER RUCKER Making It Real Danielle Warlitner

Jean Roznik Beth Justice The Free Market Urbanna Farmers Market

Eileen Waugh Meredith Ledlie Johnson VAFMA andrew schenker GreenStarFarm Shari Schaefer We had double usual sales on March 14, Please keep markets open! 2020 market.

Lisa Cummins Jean Roznik Citizen The Free Market

Jennifer L Mowad Amy Houston Cocoa and Spice Girls Day Out

Lisa Watlington Amanda Tevis Martinsville farmer's market Mosaic ATM

Gabriella Freckmann Heather Dedie Larry Fisher Permaculture Guild John Graham Graham's Woodworks

Jackson Nash Ed Stephens Shore Drive farm market Precise Portions Consumers should have access to locally produced food products. Samuel Pedersen SBP glassworks The market accounts for 90% of my sales. I Beth Metzger will be greatly affected by the closure.

Karen Ford Kathryn Haines Signing on behalf of my family of 6 Molly Ellis

Brad Sheila Kelly Society of North American Goldsmiths Skelly Skills Keeping Farmer's Markets open is essential to supporting our nation's nutritional health Layne Anderson and immunity during this crisis. Pls keep Amy's Garden them open!

Riko C. Metzroth Riko C. Metzroth Insurance Agency, Inc. Loreann H Grimes Socialized Distancing is more easily Frontier Kitchen maintained in a Farmers Market setting. We have 60 food businesses and many of them vend in multiple markets

Carolyn Cooper Wright South centre corridors research, Marshie conservation and development council Birdhouse Farmers Market My mom and I frequent the Birdhouse Market weekly in the summer to fill our Vineeta Anand fridges with local fresh produce. It is the most economic and freshest way for us to get our groceries and we heavily rely on it Jennifer Fleming during those months. Without access to the market we would have to pay more and expose ourselves to illness by entering an actual store where people are contained. Many of our local farmers rely on the income from the market to stay in business. DAnn Stoddard If they go out of business altogether we will no longer have access to the healthiest foods for our family. Jamie Rike 2 Dye 4

Sherri A Azais Premier Partner Services Laura Alario Loudoun county resident

Ilene White Freedman House in the Woods Farm Catherine Nunley Rocky Mount Farmer's Market The Farmer's Market is the safest way to Carolyn Hicks buy good. With minimal (as little as 1 person) people have handled it and the opportunity for Covid-19 to spread by Barret Meredith contact is significantly less than grocery South of the James Farmers Market stores. We ask that you continue to allow us I would argue that open air Farmers to provide safe, healthy, local, options for Markets are much safer options for food those in our communities. Thank you! procurement. Don't hurt Virginia's small farmers while allowing the grocery stores to remain open. It makes no sense, this is our Sarah Ramsay livelyhood and only source of income for Loudoun Valley Homegrown Markets many. Cooperative Farmers markets are my primary source of food and many people rely on them heavily Trent to support their community and families. Lil’ Sprouts Microgreens, LLC Michelle O'Leary Allied Electronics & Automation P Hicks

Vivian Doyle James Veltri Mulberry Creek nursing and rehab Millstream Farm Virginia

Sloane Solanto Kara Siewers The Creative Wedge Woodside Farms

Kristy Hudson

Mindy Stiles Mary Murphy Ferrum Chicken Lady wandering cow farm If you truly had a commitment to small business the farmers markets would be Amy open.

Kathleen Leatherwood Erica That Crazy English

Barbara Stewart Sarah Hoffman South of the James Farmer's Market Lakeside's Tiny Acre

Minerva Martin Ro-Derrick Branch JAMs CAKERY Newscaster LLC

Susannah Anderson Melissa Myers

Edith Johnson Keith Gurgick Grow RVA SOJ Market Chaotic Good LLC

Carol Gill Niall Duffy Carol Gill Two and a Half Irish men Inc. I have 4 employees and without the markets we will not be able to stay in business Emilie Davis

Paula K Cosco River City Flame Sauces & Rubs

Rebecca Lawson Rachel miller Chaotic good tempeh For the love of god don’t destroy all these Robert Wade small businesses. They are the soul of our Capital City Candle country. The Town of Ashland, VA Holly Hood Independence Farmers Market Please don't close farmers markets we Gabe Skinner depend on them to get by. Nelson County Farmer's Market

Benjamin Parker Sergio Izaguirre Jr Parker Family Farm Crazy Farm

Evan David Sheldon Vendor Hampton Roads Winery, LLC

Kim Salyers Marissa McNall Parkway Brewing

Karen Cobb Lydia Parker City of Franklin Farmers Market Parker Family Farm

Alice Noyes Christina Teeuwen South of the James Market Teeuwen Greenhouses Ltd These community based markets are Farmers are the backbone of the USA essential for keeping local economies feeding and employing local citizens.

Rebecca Lillywhite LulusLocalFood L. Charles Flemer, III Keep our farmers growing! Walnut Hill Farm Produce

Damian Powell Caelie islsnac LLC Head start Please preserve the wholesomeness of our communities. Katie Abbott Katie Abbott | Integrative Nutrition & Ellen Flemer Traylor Wellness Walnut Hill Farm Produce

Lauren Wanda Cornwell serve our customers or make any money for Molly Carey our business. I used to work for FRESHFARM, which runs 30+ markets in the DMV. FMC is also an alexander kling NSAC member and we are all very concerned about how farmers will continue to thrive if their markets get shut down (any Emily direct-to-consumer markets: farm to school, restaurant sales, and farmers markets). We are also concerned for shoppers using Roberta Durham nutrition assistance benefits like Independence Farmers' Market/Grayson SNAP/WIC/SFMNP, who not only rely on the Landcare markets for access to local healthy food they can spend their benefits on, but also matching dollars and incentive programs Suzanne Ferrell that allow their money to go further and are only available at outlets like farmers markets. We are also concerned about Sarah organizations that operate farmers markets as well - if markets close, market organizations lose their income too and Ken Spero won't be able to pay their staff. Please, Business owner/vendor please, please help us keep these vital To allow confined stores to operate and economic opportunities open for farmers, prohibit outdoors markets to operate is consumers and market organizations. The discriminatory. lives and livelihoods of many within the food system depend on them. Thank you. Christine Flack-Blazier

Liza Miller Fourteen Acres Brittany

Margaret Heyssel Lois Lobo Black Boar Farm

Joshua Williams Farmer John C Moore retired Zach Brenner Vendors need signs to (1) maintain distance Auntie Ning's LLC from others and (2) not touch products Please let us open the markets! We are unless ready to buy them. completely locked out right now and cannot West Luray Recreation Center Charles Renninger customer Rod Cobble Hydro-Pure Microgreens Jenny Sawyers

Christina crowder Grant Collier Wild Earth Fermentation Mark Schroeder Concordia Lutheran Mission Joseph Sommer South of the James Market India

Richard Burton Timeless Twist Ruth Meyer i purchase at farmers markets weekly.

Charles Wade Deep Roots Milling Michelle Busby Beans and Rice

Mary Jo Lowery Mary Jo Lowery Yoga Doula Lisa Gershkoff

Jeff Dion vendor Benjamin Beichler Keep the markets open. Please. Thank you. Creambrook Farm

Lorraine Fortier Anne deButts individual farmer's market customer Thank you for doing this!

Jill keen David Carey I support the Charlottesville Farmers Mary Hutchinson Market.

Veronica Walton Amanda Kirby Peach Pies Crafts

Nora K Narum I miss the food from South of the James Gail Steele market and am worried about our farmers too. Susan Gorman

Karel Bunker Bunker Farms LLC Erin Lingo Shalom Farms

Mike Cullipher Franklin L. Runge Cullipher Farm Inc I am a citizen that relies on farmers markets for my primary food source. Thank you!

Sarah Swain Lucinda H Bryce

Andy Cavender Monrovia Farm Emily Murphy

Debra Abbott Sandra K. Lockhart Charlottesville City Market Private Citizen

Jena Mayfield Megan

Kate Whitehead Philip Coulling Mr.

Rob Slosser Human Barbara Hill Please don't make this crisis worse and close farmers markets

Lauren Seemann Faye E Passmore

Angelina Forgnone it's important to keep a supply of fresh food coming especially now - please don't shut Ryan Furgurson down the outdoor markets. William B Cave & Associates

Tom Dorfler John Beckelheimer Foothills Produce Auction

Heather Grant turner Brenner pass

Jeremy Kerber Wicked Good Wood Pamela Mason Wagner

Chris Clayton Sallie Singletary Hungry Hill Farm

Mary Beth Schillaci Coniston Roberts Wright-Zink

Mary Kelly Tyler Hoffman Farmer’s Markets are a vital source of my food supply. They are safer than retail box store supermarkets as they are open air & Vivi Rogers smaller numbers of people attend at a time.

Erin Kist Elijah Zimmerman

Joan T Jay Please do not shut down Virginia farmers' Markets! It will destroy this fledgling local Bill Drumheller industry and deprive us of our fresh local Farmer produce for many years to come. Availability to food is vital.

Sandy Burke Jewel Laclair We need local food.

Liam Shawn L Dalle Lucca

I prefer to shop farm markets, please don’t Patrick Olwell take them away when I need it most Olwell Flutes I consider my neighborhood market as an essential source for healthy food Ellie Coggins

John Barker Pete Vigour All Things Bright and Beautiful

Patrick Odehnal Aaron P Olwell Olwell flutes

Erin fowler Dee Morris

Sabrina Duff Matthew Rohdie Carpe Donut LLC

Chad Gail Hobbs Page Caromont Farm VIC MONTI Farmers Market sales are the main part of WOODLANDWORKS our yearly sales. We will not survive without Please allow open Farmer's Market to help them. combat the virus

Katherine Herman Jenna Hill Gathered Threads

John Siegfried Mark Jones Wades Mill Sharondale Mushroom Farm

Sharon Kirk Emilie Tydings customer of Lexington Farmers Market Blacksburg Community Farmers Market

Nataly Perez James Slabaugh South of the James farmer market

Lawrence Fees City Market Lynette Meynig Cesar Aguilera Charlottesville City Market Happy Arepas

Cass Cannon Claudia Urrea Peg's Salt My Empanada Nature is providing a seasonal benefit during this natural crisis. Let's not miss the moment. Icka Cantilo Square of the Bone Vending is 99% of my individual income Cindy Dulik

Angie Hogan Joanne Navarra Garden Gate House

Hillary Horn Clover Top Creamery Joanne Navarra Garden Gate House

Laurel Kargel Laurel Woods Farm stasia Greenewalt My sole income are the farmers markets Local Food Hub

Joyce Cambron Shaylynn Edwards

Jack Connie DeLamater Recluse roasting project Delly's Delights Farm

Sarah April Erskin Lynchburg City Market

Katharine Pfaltz Linda Kirby The Amethyst Center The food shortage is bad enough without Stacy M Miller closing of farmers markets. WE NEED FRESH good phyte foods, LLC FOOD!

Collin Gallahue Keep the markets open. It makes no sense Cassidy Kennedy to close local farmers' markets but keep larger grocery stores open. Farmers markets are essential to getting local food to the Melva Hawkins population during this COVID crisis

Brian Rayner M. Elizabeth Nowak Brian Rayner Design Freight Staion Farmers Market, WInchester, VA Ellen

Fran Hooper We go to farmers markets EVERY week

Chris Girardot Ethan Pompeo RavenHook Bakehouse Green Valley Nutrition LLC It is safer shopping outside with more space These cancellations are ridiculous and do between people than in a cramped grocery nothing to stop the spread of disease! store.

Catherine Parisian Nancy Maxson It is a 45 minute drive to reach a none supermarket from our home. The Farmer's Keep farmers markets from new regulations market is a 2 minute drive. With proper or from being shut down in the future. social distancing guidelines in place, these markets are essential to our food supply. Elena Rodriguez I strongly believe that we can make this JOANNE HUTTON work. Please do not shut down our farmers' markets!

Taylor Medley Weathertop Farm Jeannie McConkey

Jeremy Houser Tiffany

Anne Kidd Larry Grove Seamans Orchard LLC Belle Ridge Farm

Leona Rickerson Brynn Deakins-Hull Hill Girl Crafts

Char’Rese Finney Conner M Sankey

Mary Rike Earl Zimmerman Daniels Run Peace Church Jenny Hopkins Big Arms Farm Paige Craft Just bee kind Kate Wofford Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley Thank you! David C Holmes

Inga Haugen Rita Krenz Virginia Tech

Joanne Sweeney Casey Gustowarow The Farm at Sunnyside Olivia Blacksburg Farmers Market Coles Jennings

Bill Fleming Grace Foster Virginia Association for Biological Farming (VABF) Farmers Markets are an economic necessity Sallie Godwin for local growers.

Miranda Bennett Dave OΓÇÖNeill Radical Roots Farm

Kristi Fletcher Lucas M Miller Mrs Yoders Kitchen Elizabeth Melson Archwood Green Barns Farmers Market Kirsten Conrad Henry Staples Virginia Cooperative Extension Please allow our Virginia Farmers Markets to remain open as we rely on their produce. It is especially important right now as I am Jane rike on a low iodine diet and I know that I can rely on my producers to provide the fresh vegetables and fruits that I require for my Sara Barton diet. Thanks.

Linda Williams Sidney Hall I support my local farmers and depend on Moon Maiden’s Delights them for as much of my meat, dairy, grain My business greatly depends upon the and produce as possible. farmerΓÇÖs market to continue operating. We are taking extreme precautions to provide safe, nutrient dense food to our Maryann mcdevitt community.

Mayra Jenna Bradshaw

Trent Tebbe Tiffany Burns Three Monkeys Farm University of Cambridge Smaller gathering and locally grown items are not only safer and have more nutrients but support local economy and boost morale. Stay open!!! Jessica Peck Rooster Dirt Farm Farmers markets ARE essential. Not only are Kate Ruby they many farmersΓÇÖ main source of Birdhouse Farmers Market income, they are also many folksΓÇÖ main source for healthy, nutrient dense foods. Carter Morrison Farmer's Markets are especially important Jolinda Smithson during the COVID-19 crisis, as a way for Shapes & Colors consumers to get produce and goods from a shorter supply chain with less chance for compromised products. Melanie Lewis Rill Cross Farm Paige Smith

C. Kasey Althea B Wellman & Michael A Zettel Ternion Springs Farm, LLC Todd Gonzales We feel that this is important for our communities.

Barbara Densley The Creative Wedge, an Artisan Market Beth E Shelly Our business would be severely impacted Chestnut Grove Farm should we not be able to be a vendor at Farmers Markets!! Alison Kindler Private individual

Sarah Cozadd This is the only way to support the backbone Christina Goldstein of Virginia and help keep fresh produce and Waddle Om Farm products in the homes of the citizens Local Farm food sources are extremely valuable at this time.

Jen Downey Carpe Donut Lesly Gourdet LGs Elixir LLC There is nothing better than access to Katherine Schofield healthy, fresh and alive food in this Schofield Farm challenging moment!

Erin Amanda Geary SCAN

Tia Dana Wright Customer of farmers markets Let people eat!!! In doing so advise person to person distance restrictions even while outdoors. Also implement sanitation/ Kate Bennis cleansing hand stations or available wipes . Everyone must bring their own bags as well. Thanks you! Sarah Rodriguez

Lisa Caplinger Clara Metzler VAFMA

Gayane Avagyan Double H Farm Elizabeth Damitz

Elisa M Wood Rachel Jones Wood Energy Writers Consumer of VA (Williamsburg) farmers market

Ara Avagyan Double H Farm Jenifer Kurtz

David Hunsaker Lisa Village Garden RVA LLC

Shan Julie Clare

Kathy Smith Dan Goldberg Consumer/friend to several farmer market vendors Elizabeth S Wafler Not only are farmers markets safe & occasional vendor effective for consumers, many vendors lively Just so glad you are doing this for the hoods rely on markets. If those people are farmers! Thank you! able to support themselves they will need less government support to get through this difficult time. Rheanna Derrick Keeping the markets open reduces the Joanne Walton amount of traffic in stores in an outside environment and vitamin D is beneficial for everyone right now! Angelo Vangelopoulos The Ivy Inn Restaurant I recognize the importance of our Lizmarie Zambrana community market staying open in these Healing Moon Co trying times. Having an open air shopping arena will be good for us in every way. Jennifer Clatterbuck

William G. Wood Aaron Grigsby prepared items for our public. Safety is a priority along with quality products. Our Nancy Dennis livelihood also depends on farmers market. Staunton Farmers' Market Customer

Julia Sabin Zack Baber Local Global Pantry

Tony Cambio Christopher P Downey Tony Cappuccino’s Caffe Cafe home/family I purchase groceries from farmers markets as a healthy alternative to grocery stores. I Rebecca Lunsford prefer to know the people who produce the Natural Roots Farm food my family eats. I would assume things will be better soon we cannot afford to lose this income orbit will ruin us Joshua Guptill Rehoboth Farm This is how we stay in business, markets are Ryan Lee our bread & butter. The Homestead Oven Thank you! Robert Cissell Nature's Bridge Farm Mark Barham

Brandy Stargell Corey Stargell's Apiaries and Bee Supplies, LLC

Beverly Keane Ladonna Winnegan Nine I am a consumer and purchase at farmers markets. Andrea J Burns Chronic Health, LLC

Annie Jacobs owner operator Kenney Demick We have people who rely weekly on our Weston A. Price Foundation products and we in turn rely on regular financial support. We offer carefully selected, carefully crafted and carefully Riley Koren Kathleen Rooster Dirt Farm Kathy Mejasich Wesley Housing Stephani keen I am a ICU nurse and public health nutrition Joshua Plante student. I urge you that this is necessary The fermented pig and vital!

Danielle Omar Britney Rudolph Danielle Omar Nutrition Deer Run Farm

Diane Marie Kerry Johnson Creative stamping/ Stampin up Cowen Design Group Just that other small business that are Enacting safety protocols to keep people starting off rely on these markets as well away from one another, food covered and all surfaces sanitized and crowds dispersed is important. Danielle Stocker Rainbow's End Farm Averette Lackey

Amelia McQueen Eric Pawlowski Enewetok Gardens Gwen Woodmansee

John Heerwald Ann Kim BON BECCA Diane Elliot Local Roots- A Farm to Table Restaurant Ed Scerbo This is the time to support our local economies and our local farmers. With market guidelines such as already bagged Chelsea Miller produce, use of credit cards preferred or cash placed down on the table, keeping our distance, plus being in the fresh air, we are Stephanie A Ganz contributing to people's health. There are Birdhouse Farmers Market way fewer people in the food supply chain at a farmers market, handling the food than at a big grocery store! This has to be at least as healthy as a supermarket and probably I am not a vender but a buyer of produce more healthy. Do NOT close these markets. and plants brought to our market and very much want it to open this spring

Monica Paul Paul Karns

Kyung Lee Mackenzie Cissell The Farming Artist Jeanie Hash My husband and I are both small business Family farm owners who rely on the markets beginning in April for a majority of our yearly income. The inability to sell our products at our Kathy Sewell markets will be detrimental to our finances Aunt Kathy's Sweet Potato Pie LLC as we try to come up with other outlets to effectively support our family of six. We have heard from customers that they are Glory Geoghagan upset they will not be able to access fresh, local foods that they also come to rely on in the spring and summer months. Please Ellen Stemann Vest consider allowing farmers markets in the commonwealth to continue operating; the livelihoods of hundreds and thousands of Maureen Stotland your constituents depends on it.

Joel Slezak Tiffany Free Union Gras Farm

Amelie Sheppard

MELCINE TALIAFERRO Tonya Bell's Sterling Silver Jewelry Haley's Honey meadery

Nicole Wise Martin Angst Market purchaser

Ida Smith Sandra Pleasants Zero Balancing Health Association

Kerri LaCharite George Mason University Brian

Cynthia C Taylor Moon Shadow Farm Amy Gentry

Ruth Owens James Roberts Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets Farley's Chesapeake Kitchen Cooperative Covid19 Is Temporary, People Are Not We have received much feedback from our farmers who depend on the Farmers Market as an important part of their income. Hyla Cohen Shutting down that source of revenue will do irreparable damage and add so much more stress to their already stressful situation. Our market was open last Corinne Greeson weekend and many of our vendors had Heritage Farm Organics double digit percent increase in their sales over the previous week...which tells us that the community needs this source of local Meredith Miller and fresh products. LSN Soap Company, LLC

Andrew Tenley Weaver Boka Tako Loca-Motive Aggregator LLC

Mantana Heim Traci Wenzel Farmers market customer I love Farmers market . Please do not take it away. It is the best thing for our local Bri Grocholski people . Where else can I purchase fruits, veggies, breads which produce locally. It is the best . Please keep it open. Willard Lutz Lutz Farmand services Liza Fierro- Cioffi Courthouse Creek Cider Chef Gail Hooks Delectable Dining by Chef Gail I depend on our wonderful Farmers Markets Susan Glenn to provide fresh, nutritious produce to my clients. Sarah Tollok

Matthew Brazier Stephanie Buzz Photo LLC Buyer Best source of fresh food around and its the season Mari Johnson Saunders Brothers Inc

Michele Regine Monica Heffner Comsumer of organic food fron local Posh Fairy Floss farmers' marketal Supporting pirocsl farmers is critical to my communities physical and economic health. Sylvia Clute And in these times of extreme uncertainty, it Individual is even more vital that I and my Community I am not a vendor, just a patron who loves be able to access local food that is grown my farmers' market. without pesticides.

Certainly you can understand that the less Barbara Fleming toxics an individual has in their body, the healthier and more resilient he/she will be able to withstand a viral onslaught such as Robert Wollam the current corona virus. Wollam Gardens Thank you! And certainly you can realize that, aside from providing healthy, wholesome produce and products, these local producers are a Robert Wollam valuable economic assets socially and n Wollam Gardens their own right.

Respectfully, Matt Mulder Michele Regine Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture CaitlinLundquist We support SNAP at Markets. Farmers Whitehall farm Markets play an important role in providing food access to the underserved. We are trying to build these programs, and closing Josh Freed the markets will do harm to the progress Warrenton Farmers Market we've made.

Diane Rita Medley City Space Alicia kimi

Hillary Gottemoeller Wollam Gardens Cynthia watkins

Karen Hollifield DJ Independence Farmers Market HERD Ventures

Judy Funderburk Melanie Schaefer Arlington County Farmer's Markets Charlottesville City Market Vendor I am writing to keep farmer's markets across the state open in this vulnerable time. Loretta Bauer

Ginger Rice Olde Footpath Farm Danielle Arcese

Linh Jacqueline jimenez Got Dumplings

Sheila Mattingly Catherine Greulich Restaurant

Timothy Peele Joseph P. Harris

Lindsay Brothers Esther Riverson Brothers Farm market Kingdom Gourmet Foods LLC

Marion Morrison Meredith Aycock As a consumer, farmers' markets are the Woodside Farms of VA freshest produce my family can eat. The economic survival of these small farmers is essential for the future health of our Monica Gilliam communities. Local food is essential to the Oba! Brazilian Treats LLC T/A Joysicles future health of our nation. We practice Gourmet Pops strict social distancing; this will not be hard to maintain using an outdoor Farmer's Market that will place more distance between booths, and no longer allow Ellen CB Fitzpatrick customers to touch products, etc. This is I am an Arlington County citizen and think IMPORTANT. keeping Virginia farmers markets open during these unprecedented times is a good idea with very little risk. heather Karp

Marsha Vonduerckheim Michal Saunders Barnesville Area Bakers

Chloe Johnson Melanie S Wynkoop Garden Variety Harvests Volunteer for my local farmers market

Kevin Grim Andrea Vrooman Alexandria, VA I am a citizen of the community and believe in the farmer’s market and the open-air policy! It doesn’t make sense that the Anna Ricklin grocery stores remain open and farmers Fairfax, VA markets might not! I totally support farmers markets! Lisa Burgess

Christopher L. P. Hatch

G Carusillo

Diane Charles Fairfax Food Council

*****

The following cities and states have already listed Farmers Markets as essential or critical:

Kentucky Maryland Minnesota Pennsylvania San Francisco, CA San Mateo County, CA Travis County, Texas

A copy of the notices reflecting this status are included with this letter.