Below please find the latest resources for growers on Covid-19 for farmers markets and U-pick operations from Ben Chapman.
https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/covid-19-resources/
We have a Farmers Market and U-Pick guidance information sheet that has been peer-reviewed
Farmers-Market_COVID-19_031320
U-Pick-Farms_COVID-19_031620
Mass-Gatherings-Document_FINAL
Interim Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers_031320
Additional information that might be of interest……
FARI will be offering mini-grants that may help some of our strawberry growers/agritourism farms during this time.
“RAFI-USA will be offering emergency mini-grants for farmers who have experienced a drastic loss of income as a result of the virus and need immediate assistance for household expenses. Please sign up here to receive updates via email, or check our social media channels for updates (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).”
More details here: https://www.rafiusa.org/blog/rafi-usas-response-to-covid-19/
Produce Availability Service to Growers
NC Strawberry Growers,
NCDA is aware that farmers have seen disruptions in their normal distribution during this period of COVID-19 and social distancing. Retailers have seen panic buying patterns and are challenged to keep produce in stock and merchandised. If you are a NC grower of produce and looking to sell products that you don’t have a market for, we want to know. We will be compiling information, from NC growers, to distribute to major retailers on a weekly basis. This is not to be used as an alternate for markets that you already have. This service is set up to help those who don’t have markets to sell what they would normally. Call us weekly to update your availability and be listed in the distribution. This service will last until we no longer see a major need from the growers or interest from the retailers. Please open the attached letter to see all relevant information.
The contact for strawberries is myself, Christina Harvey. My work number is 984-302-2310. If you are a grower who does not have markets to sell what you normally would, please reach out.
Thank you and stay safe,
Christina Harvey
Agricultural Marketing Specialist
NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
1020 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1020
Office: 919.707.3147
Cell: 984.302.2310
