The no-touch Oceanside Morning Farmers Market

Photo by @eatingoceanside

Operating as an essential service under the San Diego County public health order, our reopened socially distanced farmers market offers community access to fresh, healthy and affordable food while supporting area farms.

Though this 28-year-old Oceanside mainstay was interrupted for a short time by COVID-19, the Oceanside Morning Farmers Market is back and stronger than ever in Downtown Oceanside. Now set up on Pier View Way on both sides of North Coast Highway, the modified market reopened with a focus on safety while providing an open-air, socially distanced and cart-free alternative to traditional grocery shopping. 

Markets and street fairs across the region were forced to close in March 2020 when San Diego County issued a public health order prohibiting large gatherings. MainStreet Oceanside grappled with our role as host to events drawing large groups of people, especially events vital to providing food access for consumers and maintaining the livelihoods of area farmers. 

“Oceanside was one of only a few markets not open in North County, and we needed the market,” said Cathy Nykiel, Sunset Market manager. “The Oceanside community needed the market.” 

Though farmers markets were deemed an essential service, MainStreet took the time to research safety criteria for markets through the county health department and traveled around the county to see how other markets were operating during the pandemic. 

“It was important to reopen the market in compliance with the public health order, so we took our time to create a plan that complied with the order but still retained the charm of the market,” said Rick Wright, executive director of MainStreet Oceanside. 

Juan Martinez of Heritage Family Farms, local longtime vendor of avocados, citrus and exotic items, said, “This has definitely been a wake-up call for us. We appreciate the efforts of the market organizers, and the local community has been very supportive.” 

Open since May 21, the restructured Oceanside Farmers Market is spread out over three blocks, instead of two, to accommodate social distancing requirements and safety protocols. To limit the spread of the coronavirus and remove opportunities for cross-contamination, face coverings are required. Sampling of products is not allowed. 

“We’re thrilled to be back!” said Matthew McCreight of Smit Farms, local supplier of apples, cherries and blueberries for 20-plus years at the Oceanside Farmers Market. “The cleanliness and sanitation are handled wonderfully.” 

Additional safety measures include added space between booths, handwashing stations throughout the market and monitored attendance to avoid mass gathering. 

“The farmers are glad to be back, and visitors are happy to see them as well as several Sunset Market vendors,” said Mark Bendixen, 28-year market manager. 

The Oceanside Morning Farmers Market is open every Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Downtown Oceanside on Pier View Way, on both east and west sides of North Coast Highway between Ditmar and Tremont streets to accommodate social distancing requirements and safety protocols. There is plenty of parking at Civic Center Plaza and the recently constructed SALT Apartments parking garage at 371 N. Cleveland St.

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

Operating as an essential service under the San Diego County public health order, the Oceanside Morning Farmers Market safely provides access to fresh, healthy and affordable food while helping to support area farms.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday, MainStreet Oceanside’s market operates in three socially distanced sections from Ditmar Street to Tremont Street on Pier View Way, with two sections on the east side and one section on the west side of North Coast Highway.

 Following local and state guidelines, the Oceanside Farmers Market has reopened as a no-touch market to ensure the safety of attendees and vendors. Social distancing is enforced inside the market, and face coverings are required for all. Please observe the following rules when visiting the Oceanside Morning Farmers Market:

• Wear a mask. A mask is required for everyone.

• Follow directions from the market docents. They are helping us keep the market safe and open.

• Engage in no-touch shopping. Please point to the item you want to purchase, and the vendors will bag your produce and products for you.

• Avoid unnecessary physical contact. Please do not shake hands. 

• Utilize cashless payments. These are strongly preferred.

• Practice social distancing. Please ensure you are staying a minimum of 6 feet from other people. We are enforcing this requirement. 

• Get what you want and head home. We welcome you to the market and encourage you to get what you need and then head home so others can use the market.

• Send a single shopper. To minimize the number of people on-site, please send only one member of your family to attend the market. 

• Wash your hands. Please utilize the hand-washing stations placed throughout the venue.  

• Stay home if you are sick. Please do not enter if you have a cough or a fever.

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VIRTUAL SUNSET MARKET

While the Oceanside Sunset Market has been closed since March and is expected to remain shuttered until the end of the stay-at-home order, you can shop many of our retail vendors online and see a full list of Sunset Market vendors who are now participating in the Oceanside Morning Farmers Market at Virtualsunsetmarket.com.