Burke Farmers Market Prepares For 2020 Reopening

BURKE, VA — The Burke Farmers Market is one of the Fairfax County Park Authority-operated markets slated to reopen in May amid the coronavirus crisis. The park authority says markets will have guidelines to comply with Gov. Ralph Northam's orders on social distancing and safety.

The Burke Farmers Market will open for the season on Saturday, May 16 at the VRE parking lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway. The other two markets opening are the Reston Farmers Market on May 9 and Mount Vernon/McCutcheon Farmers Market on May 13.

The market will operate Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Pre-orders are encouraged but not required for vendors. For pre-orders and other information, visit the Burke Farmers Market website.

Customers are asked to follow these social distancing rules:

• No more than two family members in the market
• Face covering strongly recommended
• No pets
• Keep a six-foot distance from others
• One customer per stall
• Do not touch surfaces. Let vendors bag purchases.
• Credit or debit card payments preferred
• No on-site eating of purchases or sampling
• Do not linger. Get in and get out quickly.
• Leave by exits only

The market would have opened on April 11 but was delayed in light of the pandemic. Information on pre-orders from vendors, limited contact sales and distribution, and other safety guidelines is expected later in the week.

Under Northam's March 23 executive order, farmers markets can only offer takeout and delivery services. The order took effect at the end of March 24 and was recently extended through May 7. Northam's separate stay-at-home order through June 10 allows for residents to go out for essential purposes like obtaining food. Gatherings over 10 people are banned under the stay-at-home order.