July 7, 2020 To: Mary Savage Dunham, Emily Wentworth From

July 7, 2020 To: Mary Savage Dunham, Emily Wentworth From: Hingham Farmers Market, Inc. Re: Hingham Farmers Market, Phase II During the current Covid-19 emergency and on-going construction at the Hingham Bathing Beach, the Hingham Farmers Market has temporarily relocated to the Station St. parking lot. We’ve been operating on the lot since May under a license granted by the Town as a “drive-through” market with no pedestrian traffic allowed. We seek permission to operate a “walk-through” market that fully complies with Massachusetts Department of Health’s (MDPH) April 27, 2020 order (attached) regarding farmers’ markets, farm stands and CSAs. Farmers’ markets across the state are operating walk-through markets in compliance with the MDPH order. Throughout the spring the HFM has been collaborating with other markets both locally and nationally to develop and adopt best practices policies and procedures. While the drive-through model was a practical step for the market to start, we look forward to welcoming back to the market our SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) customers, and those for whom the model has been difficult. HFM vendors, many of whom are long-standing participants, report significantly reduced sales and we believe the drive-through model is not sustainable. The MDPH guidelines take into account the inherent safety advantages of operating an open-air market and the Station St. lot is an attractive site for one. Plans for our return to the Bathing Beach are still in place, but they continue to be affected by the Covid- 19 situation. The HFM has occasionally needed an alternative site for its operation, and we expect that need to continue. Having a special permit on file, therefore, will be helpful. Attached is a graphic of a market footprint that incorporates the MDPH conditions. With 22 vendor spaces for 20 vendors (two require two spaces), it is roughly half the size of our normal market at peak season. Also attached is a copy of the DPH order itself annotated to illustrate how the HFM intends to implement its conditions. The Station Street lot offers ample space for a market of this size while preserving public parking spaces for both businesses and visitors to the market. Some details: Physical plan and hours: o 22 10’x10’ vendor spaces . Net of 20 vendors (maximum) with two vendors occupying double spaces o Hours: 9am-1pm (rain or shine) . 9-9:30am reserved for customers over 60 years of age or with special needs o Single entrance/exit staffed by HFM o Market perimeter secured by vendor vehicles, tents, cones and cording as necessary o One-way shopper traffic using directional arrows and cones o A ‘vestibule’ area outside the market perimeter designated for customers waiting to enter Operations: o Food and food product vendors only . No artisan wares, music or community service o SNAP and SNAP-Matching programs resume o Produce and products handled only by vendors o Products on display not to be sold o Social distancing between adjacent vendors achieved by 10’ wide vendor spaces o Social distancing of customers waiting for vendors provided by chalk markings or other suitable methods o No tablecloths on vendor tables o Vendors required to clean surfaces frequently o Cash transactions minimized . Vendors encouraged to round prices up to nearest dollar to minimize handling of cash o Preservation of pre-order/pickup option o Police detail officer o Monitoring of market activity by HFM staff using walkie-talkies Sanitation & Health: o Hand sanitizing stations available for customers o Portable toilet available for vendors and HFM staff o No penalty for vendor cancellation due to health concerns o Signage reminder to customers not to come in if not feeling well o Signage with rules and recommendations about social distancing o Recommendation that only one person from a family group attend the market We look forward to talking with you about the plan and answering questions. Sincerely, Mark Cullings President, HFM, Inc..

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