As the COVID-19 pandemic persists in its frightening rampage, loss of jobs, whether through temporary or longer-term displacement, have closed off income-earning avenues for several types of businesses, arguably, none more so, than Farmers’ Markets.
At the commencement of the global spread of the pandemic early in 2020 when the emergencies associated with pushing back the virus meant that saving lives rather than jobs was the leading priority, enterprises like Farmers’ Markets, given their association with relatively limited spaces and large numbers of shoppers were, to a large extent, ‘kicked to the curb’ in the ensuing scramble.
Here in Guyana, as far as this newspaper is aware, Farmers Markets’ continue to be isolated ‘hit or miss’ events and while it is acknowledged that particularly at this time, Farmers Markets can work to the advantage of both buyers and sellers, there exists, as far as the Stabroek Business is aware, no clear-cut policy on the holding of these commercial gatherings.