Farmers market shifts to drive-thru operations

The Overland Park Farmers Market is starting up for the season, but in a new way.

AS STAY-AT-HOMEORDERS ACROSS THEMETRO ARE NEARINGTHEIR EXPIRATIONDATES......41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTSSHARES HOW ONE LOCALFARMERS MARKET ISMAKING CHANGES TO TRYAND HELP KEEP PEOPLESAFE.THE OVERLAND PARKFARMERS MARKET LOOKSA LITTLE DIFFERENT THISYEAR.USUALLY, THIS IS WHERETHE MARKET IS HELD...INDOWNTOWN O-P.BUT, due to the coronavirusoutbreak, this was not anoption.Meg Ralph"There was a lot ofconversation and discussionof how are we going to do thisthat provides the essentialfood service and is safe."CITY ORGANIZERS GOT ANIDEA...GET A BIGGERVENUE."The Overland ParkConvention Center Parking lotis a lot bigger.

I think you arelooking at four, five times thetypically amount of space."THEN CAME the SOCIALDISTANCING rule, HOW doyou KEEP PEOPLE SAFE?ORGANIZERS CAME UPWITH THE DRIVE THRUSTYLE.YOU DRIVE UP, ORDERYOUR ITEMS AND THENDRIVE OFF.Chris Captain, local pasta maker"This is a totally new concept.I don't think it's been doneanywhere."CHRIS CAPTAIN IS GOINGON TEN YEARS SELLING ATTHE FARMERS MARKET.HE TOLD US THECORONAVIRUS OUTBREAKHAS HIT HIS BUSINESSHARD.Chris Captain, local pasta maker:"It's been a challenge.

We seldirectly to chefs, somespecialty chefs in the area andobviously that channel is cut.The markets are really slow."SO, HAVING THIS EVENT ISA LIFE SAVER.THE COMMUNITY TURNEDOUT IN STRIDES TOSUPPORT LOCALBUSINESSES LIKE CHRISCAPTAINS.Chris Captain, local pasta maker"We are certainly blessed tohave people come out andjust being outside and seeingpeople and wanting to hugthem."IN OVERLAND PARKJORDAN BETTS 41 ACTIONNE