Connect with us
milk market to reopen milk market to reopen

Community

Milk Market to reopen Saturday, May 23 with strict public safety measures in place

Milk Market to reopen: The Limerick Milk Market will return with a more streamlined offering of Farmers Market produce.

Milk Market to reopen Saturday, May 23 with strict public safety measures in place

The Limerick Milk Market will return this Saturday with a more streamlined offering of Farmers Market produce, a significantly restricted number of market stalls, and a new layout in line with HSE/public health guidelines on physical distancing and sanitation.

 

Stallholders have undertaken additional training and implemented extra Covid-related protocols like protective screens in front of stalls and extra contactless mobile payment systems.

Limerick Milk Market General Manager, David Fitzgerald, said: “In common with other essential food suppliers we have had to adapt to the new challenges presented by Covid-19. We have been working since early March on an altered lay-out of our stalls; increased sanitising; and reduced capacity both in stall numbers and customers. In line with Government and HSE protocols for a phased return of food producers providing an essential service, we now look forward to a phased reopening this Saturday with a range of protective measures in place.”

The Milk Market returns this Saturday, May 23rd with a revised layout and reduced stall numbers focused on farmers’ market stalls. Now, more than ever, there is a demand for fresh food from local producers that people know and trust. Hopefully, one positive to emerge after Covid-19 will be a return to local supply chains and a concentration on buying from local farmers and food producers. In addition to the health benefits, buying locally produced food supports the local economy, Mr. Fitzgerald said.

milk market to reopen

The Limerick Milk Market will return with a more streamlined offering of Farmers Market produce.

“Our priority is the health of our staff, traders, and customers. We will control entry and exit to the market to moderate the flow of people. We will have greater distance between stalls, as well as one way systems in place. Our upstairs seating area will remain closed and all market seating within the open-air courtyard will remain stored during this phase. Staff will be wearing protective masks (non-surgical) in line with new government guidelines and other appropriate PPE and staff protocols.”

“We have increased the frequency of disinfecting, clean down and sanitising of areas within the market and we have installed automated hand sanitisers since March that will continue to be used. Toilets will be closed to the public during this phase as the market returns to a more traditional farmer’s market format of shopping for essential groceries only with the socialising/leisure element of the market temporarily suspended. We have also increased signage on HSE guidelines and hand wash reminders displayed within the market. Our staff are fully trained and aware of all protocols relating to Covid-19.”

“Customers are kindly requested to please come alone to purchase your essential food items due to the reduced capacity/physical distancing and are asked to maintain a distance of two metres from fellow customers.  We would also ask customers to exit the venue in a timely and orderly fashion once they have purchased their food items so others can enter and do the same. The Milk Market has been supplying the people of Limerick with fresh food for 168 years, and we will do everything we can to ensure the market remains at the vibrant heart of Limerick city,” Mr. Fitzgerald added.

For more information on the Limerick Milk Market, click here

For more stories on the Limerick Milk Market, click here

Related Topics:

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.