The stalls at the local harvest farmers market in Long Beach continue to be filled with produce, and crowds continue to gather amidst the COVID-19 shutdown in Long Beach.
The city of Long Beach released a strict “Safer at home” order on March 24 amended from the original order released on March 19.
The new order restricts gatherings of any kind, including gatherings of 10 or fewer people, along with other changes from the previous order.
However, the Long Beach Local Harvest Farmers Market in Bixby Park remained open for business and was bustling with families and farmers alike.
Lee Ostendorf, who has been organizing the market for eight years, spoke about how the COVID-19 health crisis is affecting the market, and how customers are reacting during an interview on March 24.
“We haven’t received any backlash at all, and people are grateful,” Ostendorf said.
Though produce and food are considered essential, the Long Beach Health Department has not allowed regular craftsmen and entertainers to attend the farmers market since the shutdown, according to Ostendorf.
“The health department came in last week to inspect and make sure we were following their guidelines, and it was all positive,” Ostendorf said.
“I have to walk around and make sure that people are staying six feet apart. We put chalk lines down, and most people right now do follow the rules,” Ostendorf said.
Claro Rufo, who works as a health inspector for the temporary food facilities of the Long Beach Health Department, regularly inspects the market according to Ostendorf.
Rufo spoke about new protocols that the farmers market must follow along with some concerns he had during a phone interview on March 24.
“On my recent inspection on Saturday and Sunday, I made some observations, and the farmers market is essential,” Rufo said.
“Space is concerning. What we are recommending for the organizers is to space booths apart and space items to increase social distancing and while walking the market, make sure that it is ensuring a minimum of 6 feet for non-farmer members,” said Rufo.
In addition, the public health inspector recommended the market limit the number of customers allowed to reduce overcrowding, also increase the disinfection of surfaces and payment devices, and remove public service items to deter the spread of the virus.
“We have to remind employees to increase the frequency of soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and produce gloves and bags while selecting produce,” said Rufo.
Older regulations for the farmers market, such as removing vendors not part of the certified farmers market according to the CAL Code, still apply according to both Rufo and Ostendorf.
“This is a California certified farmers market, all farmers have to have a certification from the state of California and the county of where they grow, and have a list of what they grow. It enables them to come here and sell. It provides a sense of security,” said Ostendorf.
Rose Rennie, who owns a honey and ginger stand at the farmers market, talked about her sales and the benefits of keeping the market open.
“We are hardly able to keep up bottling our honey. Honey is full of anti-bacterial properties and people know that. During the winter our sales usually go up 30 percent, but people here have been buying like crazy,” Rennie said.
“We are the source, and we’re giving people food directly from farmers to customers, in the open air, not crammed with everyone breathing on everyone,” said Rennie.
Tino Fatteh, who operates Sunny Cal Farms at the Local Harvest market along with Bryson Raynsford, spoke about operating the farm during the shutdown.
“We’re stoked to be here providing people food for the week people panicked. Now, people are happy out here shopping, they’re mindful. Long Beach is one of the only spots allowing hot food,” said Fatteh.
In addition to giving people a sense of normalcy, the market is an essential, safer way to get the highest quality produce now according to Fatteh.
“What we sell has to be grown in California, which isn’t an issue because 80 percent of agriculture is here. We grow in the San Joaquin Valley, so you’re gonna get the freshest stuff here,” said Fatteh.
“There’s no shortage of food with local farms because we grow everything, and it’s direct to consumers,” said Raynsford.
“The supply line is the issue, no one anticipated hysteria, and creating panic is the worst part,” said Fatteh.
Sunny Cal Farms is so essential to its regular customers, and has been overflowing with new customers looking to shop outdoors, that they have now implemented a delivery line, said Fatteh.
In addition, Fatteh also expressed concerns over a possible stimulus package for small businesses, and whether or not small farm owners will be included in that.
“Will farmers get included in stimulus packages, or will small businesses be overlooked? If you really want to think about it, we’re putting our lives and health on line to get people essential food. We’re just lucky we’re younger,” Fatteh said.
Though Fatteh, Ostendorf, and other farmers operating the market hope it will remain open, some parts of the market might not be so lucky.
Rufo clarified that, though the market will remain open, a final say still has to be given by Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach Health Department health officer, to determine whether the hot food stands beloved in the market will be able to stay.
For now, the Local Harvest Farmers Market is still operating both at Bixby Park, and at Marine Stadium on Tuesdays and Saturdays at various times of the day, and will continue to do so until told otherwise.
Ostendorf said, “We’ll go back to the way we were. For now, following the guidelines, the people are happy, we’re happy, and just working to bring products to the market.”