Short description
Name of the initiative? Kispiac Quarantine Market
Country Hungary
Region Pest
What kind of initiative Farming/production, Marketing, Community
Key words COVID-19, drive-in service, farmers’ market, best practice
Success factors
Briefly describe what your initiative is about The farmers’ market in Dunakeszi has adapted to enable drive-in collections during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Story
The farmers’ market in Dunakeszi (a city in the agglomeration of the capital) is a good example of the creativity and the adaptability of human nature. When the crisis caused by COVID-19 broke out, in March, organisers of the market tried to find the perfect way for the short food supply chain to operate during this period. We* came up with a way for the farmers to sell their products and the consumers buy those without taking any health risk. Thanks to the contactless way of purchase everyone is safe.
“The market was popular in the region before the restrictions too but nowadays it’s becoming famous for its drive-in system.”
The market was popular in the region before the restrictions too but nowadays it’s becoming famous for its drive-in system. We have created a well-functioning quarantine-market which is now complete with drive-in service. The consumers can pre-order through the Kispiac’s website with an online shopping list, and they can get their order and pay for it from their own cars. The consumer only needs to stop at a zone where the employees of the market put their ordered items in the luggage rack or boot and the driver gives them the money in a transparent packet. This way we minimise personal contact but those consumers who would like to purchase directly from the farmers can also participate in the market every Friday besides the strict hygiene regulations.
It was a real logistical challenge to establish this system and it causes a lot of extra work, but the organisers and the farmers are really intent to operate this system, because this way they can still sell their products.
It was an urgent situation which needed a fast response. We had to find a place to be able to operate the drive-in service. The market moved to a school’s carpark because the original spot is under restoration.
“Every challenge can teach something about the adaptability of human nature. If it is needed the food supply can be solved during crisis like the one that COVID-19 caused. “
Every challenge can teach something about the adaptability of human nature. If it is needed the food supply can be solved during crisis like the one that COVID-19 caused. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the traditional way of taking part in a farmers’ market has gone. But we believe that this solution is the best way to keep the consumers and after the pandemic, the Kispiac market is going to be the same as it was before. Previously we organised programmes for children and made the whole market a community space for the adults.
Thanks to the drive-in service the producers can still sell directly to the consumers who are desperate for their fresh and healthy products.
Additional information
https://www.kisleptek.hu/information_in_english
Facebook: https://www.kisleptek.hu/information_in_english
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Repository compiled by: Viktoria Nagy
E-mail contact: viktoria.nagyviktoria@gmail.com
*Kislépték Association would like to share this good practice with the Bond community, because we think that this is a great way to operate a farmers’ market during COVID-19. We are not the organisers of Kispiac Market.
