Farmers markets throughout the Flathead are coming back to life, taking precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Columbia Falls

The Columbia Falls Community Market will continue this summer at The Coop, O’Brien Byrd said, but there are a few caveats as the state eases back into some semblance of normalcy.

The first market will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 14. But there won’t be beer served, live music or craft vendors.

The market will have produce from about a half-dozen farms as well as about a dozen food trucks. Families are urged to send one member to get produce and meals.

“The county [health department] doesn’t want anyone to linger,” he said.

Byrd said staff will manage lines and there will be multiple hand-washing stations at the venue.

Once the state reaches Phase II, which allows for larger gatherings, the beer garden will likely return. Phase III, which allows for unlimited gathering sizes, though encourages social distancing, will look more like a normal market, Byrd noted.

Bigfork

The Bigfork Farmers Market will host its first market of the season from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the Bigfork Liquor Barn, a new location for the event.

Due to COVID-19, booths will be spaced farther apart than in years past, with customers and vendors practicing social distancing guidelines; appropriate distances will be designated at each booth. The market also plans to have a directional traffic flow, with one entrance and one exit. Everyone is encouraged to wear masks and vendors are reminded to use proper hygiene practices.

The newer Bigfork Village Market, in its third year, will begin the community event series starting June 1 with a partial opening. Until Montana moves to Phase 2 of the reopening plan, the event will be limited to food and produce vendors only. There will not be any free yoga or live music. As the summer progresses, the Bigfork Village Market hopes to slowly add more of their attractions back into the mix.

Whitefish

Whitefish Farmers Market is scheduled to open Tuesday, May 26, and will likely have similar COVID-19 precautions as other markets in the valley. Hours are 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Typically staged on the north end Central Avenue and Depot Park, the Whitefish market has to alter its setup location due to the final phase of the Depot Park construction project estimated to be completed by June 30. The main street market area will be on Railroad Street between Central and Spokane avenues, with the food trucks moving to the parking spots along Spokane Avenue.

The Whitefish market is also adopting a zero waste policy this year, meaning those selling products for consumption at the market can no longer use single-use plastics.

Reporter Whitney England and Hungry Horse News editor Chris Peterson contributed to this report.