# One-Way Outdoor Markets El Mercado's Outdoor Food Market is Set Up for Social Distancing By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-05-18 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outdoor-food-market References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CALxiRGBqRa/) As businesses reopen, people are seeing an emphasis on sidewalk seating, beer gardens, open-air restaurants and outdoor food markets that give people plenty of space to practice social distancing. Toronto will soon be home to the city's first Social Distance TO GO outdoor food market from El Mercado and Barrio, offering prepared items to-go only. At the outdoor food market, which is set up with a one-way flow that requires a mask upon entry, people can expect to pick up everything from [fresh produce](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farmers-market-for-dogs) to beer, plus outrageous treats like pickle lemonade, fried candy bars and more. With the 2020 CNE been canceled, this market offers a safe way to indulge cravings for some of the [unusual fair foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/county-fair-popup) that are served at the event. Image Credit: El Mercado ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 73% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Outdoor Food Markets:** The rise of outdoor food markets presents an opportunity for businesses to offer unique and safe culinary experiences. - **Social Distancing To-go:** The shift towards to-go only models due to social distancing measures offers opportunities for businesses to innovate in their packaging and delivery options. - **One-way Flow:** One-way flows in outdoor markets could lead to new layout and design innovations for businesses looking to create safe and efficient retail experiences. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** One-way outdoor food markets can help businesses in the food and beverage industry adapt to new social distancing guidelines and provide customers with safe and unique culinary experiences. - **Hospitality:** The use of outdoor spaces, such as sidewalk seating and beer gardens, presents hospitality businesses with opportunities to innovate and adapt to new social distancing guidelines. - **Retail:** The one-way flow design of outdoor markets presents retail businesses with opportunities to create innovative and safe shopping experiences for customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Toronto-Based Food Emporiums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/queens-cross.md) - [Multi-Vendor Food Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chefs-hall.md) - [Immersive Cultural Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superfresh.md) - [Eclectic Mall Food Halls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/queens-cross-food-hall.md) - [Flavorful Toronto Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/able-fare-social-table.md) - [Full-Sized Wine Samples](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toronto-park-hangs.md) - [Kindness-Promoting Local Business Markets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kindness-market.md) - [Summer Patio Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sol-patio.md) - [Urban Communal Dining Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/communal-table-event.md)