April 24, 2020

“Buy Fresh” USDA Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program (CFAP) Announcement of Solicitation

Just in from the United Fresh Produce Association:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today released its solicitation for proposals for the “Buy Fresh” Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program (CFAP) to purchase and distribute $100 million a month of fresh fruit and vegetables for approximately six months. USDA will award contracts for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables, the assembly of commodity boxes, and delivery to identified food banks, food pantries, churches, schools, community groups, and other non-profit and governmental organizations that can receive and distribute food items.

  • The solicitation and supporting documents can be found at bottom of the page here.
  • Request for Proposals (RFP) will be due on May 1, 2020.
  • AMS will hold a conference call on Tuesday, April 28th at 12:00 pm EDT (dial-in instructions forthcoming) to field additional questions from the RFP. Any questions should be submitted in the meantime to: USDAFoodBoxDistributionProgram@usda.gov

  • A recording of a United Fresh/ARS information webinar conducted on April 23rd can be found here. Additional details and updates can be found on the AMS-CFAP landing page.
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates Tagged With: ,
April 24, 2020 and

U-Pick Operation Guidelines under COVID-19

Harvesting cropsThe CDC, FDA and USDA have no reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest coronavirus can be transmitted by food or food packaging.
U-Pick operations are unique with customers going out into the field to do their own harvesting. This creates special situations for the grower and customer. How do you protect the customers, workers, and grower?

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. How many customers will you allow to pick at one time and how will you manage this?
2. Will you provide picking containers, or do you expect the customer to bring their own?
3. Will you provide harvest tools, or do you expect the customer to bring their own?
4. Where are your handwashing facilities located? Do you need to add more or change the locations?
5. How will you provide produce to those who are unable to enter your retail area or conduct U-Pick activities?
6. What areas will need frequent cleaning and sanitation (PDF)? What products will you use for this task?

Customer Notification Prior to Arriving
1. Use your social media site to inform potential customers how you are going to run your U-Pick operation with COVID-19.
2. Inform customers that they must maintain 6 ft social distance from other customers and employees.
3. Let them know that handwashing stations and hand sanitizers will be available when they arrive.
4. Encourage your customers to come alone. Leave family at home. Only someone picking should be in the field.
5. Let them know if you will provide picking containers or they need to bring their own.
6. Face coverings are required for customers. If a customer arrives without one, or refuses to wear one, they cannot enter retail and production areas. Alternative methods of obtaining produce should be made available to them.

Upon Customer Arrival
1. Encourage everyone to wash their hands prior to going into the field.
2. Inform customers where they can pick and how many people are allowed in the field at one time.
3. Direct customers to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing.

Handwashing
1. Have handwashing stations at several locations on the farm. These should be conveniently located. If the field is not next to the check out area have handwashing stations out in the field.
2. Everyone should wash their hands often for 20 seconds with soap and water.
3. This means as soon as customers come to the farm, if they stop to eat, when they use bathroom facilities, etc. If hand sanitizers are available customers should wash hands then apply hand sanitizers. The sanitizer should be at least 62% alcohol.
4. Post handwashing signage (PDF) in the appropriate language at each handwashing station.
5. Designate the responsibility of monitoring handwashing facility supplies (water, soap, paper towels) to an individual. Provide ample supplies for restocking.

Field Picking
1. There different ways to handle picking. The number of pickers can be restricted at any one time or pick every other row. Whichever system is used there needs to be someone in the field to enforce the rules.
2. Consider what you supply to the customer when they go into the U-Pick areas.
3. Harvest tools, containers, wagons, etc. Ensure that you can properly clean and sanitize these commonly touched surfaces.

Employees
1. Train all employees on proper handwashing and food safety.
2. In New Jersey, employers must provide face coverings and gloves for their employees.
3. Handwashing is critical when dealing with customers (see above).
4. Hand sanitizers should be used between each customer by employees at checkout.
5. Touchpads should be sanitized between payment uses.
6. One person should handle money when checking out customers.

Visit the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety and the Rutgers NJAES COVID-19 websites for the most up-to-date information.

Authors
Wesley Kline, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
Jennifer Matthews, Senior Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
Meredith Melendez, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
April 23, 2020

USDA Buy-Fresh Deadlines Still Short, But Proposals Due Next Week, Not Today

Staff from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Division just held a webinar hosted by the United Fresh Produce Association to clarify the Buy-Fresh portion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance (CFAP) Purchase and Distribution Program. With an amazingly fast turn-around since this program was announced, they will be posting a ‘solicitation’ on Friday, April 24, announcing the purchase of up to $3 billion of fresh foods ($100 million/month each of US-grown fresh produce, fresh dairy, and fresh meats) beginning in 2 weeks. Proposals for fresh produce will be accepted from PACA-licensed growers/shippers/distributors/co-ops who submit proposals by next Friday to put together ‘consumer wholesale boxes’ for local/regional non-profits (food banks, food pantries, churches, etc.) and schools (which may or may not include universities/colleges – to be determined) to distribute to consumers. Approved proposals will be announced a week later to be implemented immediately.

Details of the program are available on the AMS website. The size of the box and contents (there are some targeted products) are to be worked out between the distributor and the non-profit, and included in the submitted proposal. ‘Fresh produce’ also includes ‘fresh-cut produce’, and anticipated changes in seasonal content should be outlined. Non-profit recipients may work with multiple distributors, especially as there may be different groups supplying produce, dairy and meat. The actual ‘solicitation‘ will be posted on Friday, April 24. You can sign up for email updates.

New Jersey is serviced by 2 major food banks that distribute food to local pantries/feeding programs throughout the state. The Food Bank of South Jersey in Pennsauken services counties along the Delaware River from Mercer to Salem, while the rest of the state is under the umbrella of the Community Food Bank of NJ, headquartered in Newark with branches in Monmouth and Atlantic Counties. You could work with either of these larger organizations or directly with smaller community programs closer to your locale. You might also propose working with PhilAbundance, the major food bank servicing Philadelphia.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates Tagged With: , , ,
March 25, 2020

COVID-19 Resources for Nursery, Greenhouse, Landscape, Garden Centers, etc.

Please contact Cumberland County Extension Agent Tim Waller if you would like to have an association added to the “Green Industry COVID links PDF”. twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 

Defining Essential Businesses

Closing of non-essential retail businesses following New Jersey Executive Orders 107 and 108 have had many NJ green-industries wondering, “what does this mean for my business”.

Many NJ Green-Industries are now considered Essential Businesses (as of 3/24/20, list subject to change).

  • Nurseries
  • Greenhouses
  • Landscaping
  • Garden Centers
  • Farms
  • Farm equipment suppliers
  • Farmer-markets
  • Farms that sell directly to customers
  • Grocery stores
  • Hardware and home improvement stores
  • Livestock feed stores

These businesses can remain open as long as they adhere to the safety guidelines outlined in Executive Order 107 and the CDC recommendations (links in PDF attachment).

The included attachment (PDF) with web-links: has a number of important resources concerning COVID-19 at state and federal levels (click or copy links). East and west coast states have been included, as many nurseries will be shipping throughout those regions. Additionally, web-links to nursery and landscape associations of each state, have been included to serve as a point of reference when shipping in to or out of that state. Contact the local associations for additional clarification if needed. The list is in no way exhaustive as many states have numerous green-industry associations.

Links pertaining to international land border agreements between the USA, and Canada, and Mexico have also been listed.

 

(PDF): Green Industry COVID links PDF 3 30  (Click link. Copy web-address if not working)

 

Quick links to New Jersey Associations:

New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association: https://www.njlca.org/

New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association: https://www.njnla.org/

New Jersey Green Industry Council: http://njgic.org/

New Jersey Turfgrass Association: https://njta.wildapricot.org/

New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association: https://njchristmastrees.org/

New Jersey Farm Bureau: https://njfb.org/

 

BUSINESSES WILL NEED TO FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES.

Business social distancing:

Social distancing for customers will include but limited to, signage for customers to remain 6 feet apart from one another as well as a concerted effort by owners/employees to sanitize frequently used carts, doors, loading equipment, etc.

  • Commonly touched hard surfaces should be routinely disinfected while wearing disposable gloves with 70% alcohol, or other common EPA-registered household disinfectants (diluted bleach instructions below). Soft/porous surfaces should be cleaned with EPA-approved spray/aerosol sanitizers. Any fabric that can be laundered (uniforms, table cloths, etc.) should be done so separately from household laundry. The use of non-clothing linens should be discouraged. For example the use of tablecloths under cash registers is discouraged.

Employee social distancing:

These same efforts must be applied for social distancing amongst employees, including but not limited to, prohibit sharing of vehicles between different work crews or tightly packing single vehicles, routinely sanitizing commonly used tools and equipment, prohibiting congregations around break/lunch areas, etc.

  • Travelers per vehicle should be limited to maximize physical distance between employees/occupants. If possible 1 crew per vehicle for the duration of COVID-19 concerns should be implemented. While conducting business, employee sanitation efforts should be constantly minded. This would include cleaning hard vehicle interiors with disinfectant solutions (70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants) as well as soft interior surfaces with EPA-approved spray/aerosol sanitizers while wearing disposable gloves. Any fabric that can be laundered (seat covers, work uniform, bibs, etc.) should be done so separately from household laundry.

Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Detailed disinfection instructions can be found at the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html

 

Businesses are encouraged to give each employee a letter indicating that the employee works in an industry permitted to continue operations.

Employees reporting to work are permitted to travel to and from their place of business. This would also apply when nursery deliveries or landscapers services are being performed.

 

Ideas to generate more business during COVID-19:

  • Increase social media marketing, targeting local audiences
  • Offer delivery services or order online-pick up at store
  • Generate ‘kits’, of easy to grow plants for a new wave of horticulture enthusiasts
  • Offer online demonstrations or classes, branding your business as top-notch
  • Promote different horticulture techniques that should spur purchases
  • Promote unique plants that the average person has not seen and may take interest

 

In the case of economic disaster:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been approved for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which includes businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and non-profits. Application filing deadline is 12/18/2020.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

phone: (800) 659-2955

email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

 

OTHER IMPORTANT QUICK LINKS:

CDC COVID page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

NJ COVID page: https://covid19.nj.gov/

Inventory or donations of PPE (Executive Order No. 109): https://covid19.nj.gov/ppereport

All current and archived executive orders: https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/approved/eo_archive.html

 

 

Stay healthy. Exercise caution on- and off-the-clock!  

 

 

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,