Food safety Resources For Farmers

At this time there is no evidence that food is a source or transmission route for Coronavirus. However, as it can survive on hard surfaces, such as food packaging, and spread through person-to-person contact before symptoms appear, it is important to ensure that you’re taking precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. 

The FDA is currently suggesting farms, like other work establishments, follow protocols set by local and state health departments, which may vary depending on the amount of community spread of COVID-19 in a particular area. We encourage coordination with local health officials for all businesses so that timely and accurate information can guide appropriate responses in each location where they have operations.

UVM's Considerations for Fruit and Vegetable Growers Related to Coronavirus & COVID-19

Cornell's Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms

International Rescue Committee: How Farms and Farmers Markets can respond to COVID

List of EPA Registered Disinfectants to use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19

CDC Factsheets for Employees

Building Farm Resilience In This Crisis 

• Take care of your farm’s most important asset: you. Wash your hands more frequently and make sure you are getting adequate sleep. We need our strength these days.
• Don’t think social distancing means social isolation. We are being asked to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus, but we have many ways to keep and grow our connections with each other. Call someone. Stay connected to those around you. Ask for help. Offer help. We are in this together. (See top of page for scheduled call to connect with other Texas farmers and ranchers)  
• Reach out to farmers and community members around you that you know are having challenges. Now is the time to strengthen the fabric of our own communities by increasing our social connections. Pick up the phone and call them. It is that simple.
• Release stress. In times of stress, it helps to take a pause and slow down. Do what works for you, such as: Laugh, pray, dance, meditate, chat with friends.
• Practice tactical breathing. Inhale, count to five, and then exhale slowly to help clear your head and steady your hands.
• Intensify or expand your production plans, where you can. In the face of possible shifts in our global food system, eating locally will be an important strategy to respond to potential disruptions.
• Bring extra farm product to food banks, or work with gleaning organizations. We have always had people in need in our communities, but this pandemic could make things worse for those most vulnerable. As a producer, you have the ability to help ease some of that suffering.
• Revisit your farm’s food safety plan, especially the health and personal hygiene plan. Keep yourself and your employees in good health.
• Make a plan for running your farm if you, your family or employees get sick. Consider the scenarios of 10, 50 or 75% of farm labor out sick for 2 weeks and try to be realistic. Involve the whole farm team in this conversation. Reach out to neighbors or other farm friends who might be able to help. Here are some questions to consider:

1. What farm operations must go on? What would be cascades or ripple effects if that activity stopped? Who would be responsible, and what happens if they are not available?
2. What operations or activities could be put on hold?
3. How can we cross-train our team now to better cover our bases and be more resilient?
4. Who is willing to pitch in and help if you are out of commission for two weeks? Anyone off the farm you could call upon?
5. Could you step up to help a neighbor?

• Prepare for market changes. We are already seeing impacts of this pandemic on wholesale and direct markets and getting calls from farmers who are concerned. Customers may shy away where there are crowds. What creative solutions could help address these concerns and keep customers connected to our locally-grown food?

Source: https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2020/03/building-farm-resilience-in-this-crisis/

Financial Assistance

• Farmers' Legal Action Group's Farmers' Guide to COVID-19 Relief including information about the programs available through the CARES Act that might be utilized by farmers.
  
  
• Southern Smoke Foundation is offering Emergency Relief Grants to owners, employees, and suppliers of restaurants and bars (this is includes farmers and ranchers).
  
  
• For those in Central Texas: Slow Food Austin $500 Farmer Relief Grants. Click here for Application
  
  
• Information about Texas Unemployment Benefits
  
  
• Farm Service Agency Farm Operating Loans
  
  
• Farm Service Agency Microloans
  

Tofga's response

Dear TOFGA Members,

We hope that you and yours are safe and well in these uncertain times. We are all concerned for our families, friends, farms, and much more. The events of COVID-19 are unprecedented in modern history, and it is something that we are all struggling to come to understand how to best address.

COVID policy updates at the local, state, and federal levels seem to be changing almost hourly. Know that TOFGA is plugged into the larger conversation with farm advocacy groups around the state as we all work to communicate and find solutions for our farms and members. Our Board has heard from farms and ranches from around Texas, and we understand the urgency of this situation. Some of the issues we've heard and seen are: farmers markets closing (or uncertainty around this), other sales channels closing down (restaurants in particular), and confusion around increased food safety measures to reassure consumers and remain in compliance as a business.

As a statewide organization, we would like to hear from y'all - our TOFGA members. We recognize that many of our members are looking for information - and are also more than willing to share the information they may have found some clarity on. We encourage our members to post their questions, concerns, and solutions to the TOFGA Facebook Page, where we hope a conversation can get started amongst our members and the farming community at large. Please do share your stories and insights with us! If you'd prefer to send an email, feel free to shoot it to us at admin@tofga.org

As TOFGA continues to learn more and get updates, we will be sure to pass this along to our membership. In the meantime, stay safe and wash those hands (for 20 seconds!)

Best,
TOFGA