CEDAR RAPIDS – The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance announced that the June 6 and June 20 dates of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market presented by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust will be drive-thru markets, to comply with public health guidelines for farmers markets. Prior to the market, attendees will place orders online on the local e-commerce platform, Cedar Rapids Area Shop Where I Live at www.cedarrapids.shopwhereilive.com. Attendees will pick up items from vendors between 7:30 a.m. and noon on market Saturdays.
The current plan is to implement drive-thru markets for both June markets and continue to evaluate options and make decisions based on public health guidelines for the remainder of the 2020 market season. The 2020 Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market dates are June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, September 5 and September 19. All markets will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
The drive-thru markets will take place in Downtown Cedar Rapids and feature about 30 vendors with products like produce, honey, baked goods, prepared food and other farm products. Online ordering for June 6 vendors will be available from Monday, May 25 to Thursday, June 4 at 6 p.m. No purchases will be made on-site. A list of June 6 vendors and the market venue will be available soon on www.CRDowntownMarket.com. June 20 market vendors will be announced in the coming weeks.
Following their online purchase, attendees will receive an order number. On the day of the market, attendees are asked to create a sign with their order number and display it in the windshield of their car. On the day of the market, attendees will enter the venue through a singular location. As attendees drive-thru the market, they will pull off into a vendor’s designated pick up zone to collect their purchased items. Attendees are expected to limit interaction with vendors and must remain in their car at all times. Vendors will place purchased items in either the cars’ trunk or backseat.
“The health and safety of our attendees, vendors, staff and volunteers is our top priority,” said Ellie Evans, Events Planner, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “During this unprecedented time, drive-thru markets offer a safe option for an event that the community has enjoyed for 15 years.”
Current public health guidelines allow solely for the sale of farm products and food at farmers markets. The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market typically features many non-food vendors, including artisan gifts and crafts. While these non-food vendors are not able to participate in June’s drive-thru markets, community members can support these small businesses through Cedar Rapids Area Shop Where I Live. All non-food vendors have the opportunity to sell products on the platform and can facilitate their own delivery or pick up options.
This will be the 15th season of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market presented by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust.
The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers’ Market is produced by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and presented by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Find more information at www.CRDowntownMarket.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CRDowntownMarket.
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The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s mission is to drive economic, workforce and population growth strategies and to help businesses succeed.