ALGOMA – The 2020 season for the Algoma Sunday Farmers Market has been canceled, although it could return later in the year, and farmers markets in two other Kewaunee County communities are in limbo, all because of public gathering and social distancing concerns over the COVID-19 virus.

The Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce and the Algoma market's managers, Casey Buhr and Kristen Knudtson of Folkvangr Farms, decided to cancel the season because of the social nature of the market balanced against public health precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release from the chamber. The decision was based on guidelines from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Department of Health Services to help ensure the safety of customers and vendors.

However, the chamber is leaving the door open for the market to take place later in the season if public health conditions permit.

Although the market won't open, its local vendors and their products will be featured regularly this summer on the market's Facebook page, facebook.com/AlgomaSundayFarmersMarket.

Meanwhile, discussions are taking place to determine if, and how, farmers markets in Kewaunee and Luxemburg will take place this summer.

Members of the Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday and will do so again this week to talk about plans for its weekly markets, and Cassie Jelinek of the Kewaunee Area Chamber of Commerce said organizers of that city's farmers market are planning to open while awaiting guidelines from city officials. Both markets normally open in late June, with the Kewaunee market taking place Friday mornings and Luxemburg's on Saturdays.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or [email protected]

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Algoma farmers markets canceled amid COVID-19 pandemic, others in limbo