COVID-19
New COVID-19 requirements released for Washington agriculture
On May 28, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee released Proclamation 20-57, “Concerning the Health of Agricultural Workers” which provides required protections that must be in place by June 4. Full details of requirements can be found... more »
UGA Extension helps Georgia Grown connect to consumers
Like the moments before a race begins, dozens of staff with Georgia Grown and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension prepared to load thousands of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables into hundreds of waiting cars... more »
COVID-19 impact headlines United Fresh’s Q1 2020 FreshFacts on Retail report
United Fresh Produce Association’s Q1 2020 issue of FreshFacts on Retail reports on the beginning weeks of the unprecedented rise in in-home food and beverage consumption triggered by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The report includes... more »
GreenStone donates $20,000 to back communities impacted by COVID-19
GreenStone Farm Credit Services has announced the 2020 Member Grown Outreach program and its impact on local organizations that touch the lives of thousands of families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the contribution of $20,000. According to a news release,... more »
Farmers to Families Food Box, CFAP programs aired in PMA virtual town hall
A May 27 Produce Marketing Association virtual town hall featured Bruce Summers of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Hunt Shipman of Cornerstone Government Affairs. The topics of discussion were the overall progress of the... more »
Mississippi blueberry growers expect high quality, average yield
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a new obstacle for Mississippi blueberry growers in 2020, impacting the labor force for the early-season varieties. “A lot of growers are working through how to deal with harvest, packing and... more »
Frozen food sales gains outpaced total store, fresh for another record week
While the country is slowly starting to re-open businesses and restaurants, grocery retailing sales continue to track well ahead of the old baseline. The week of May 17 was free of influences from holidays and... more »
Legislation introduces measures to protect food supply
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, introduced legislation to help protect the nation's food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on... more »
PMA Fresh Summit expo still on for live event this October in Texas
One of the produce industry’s largest events is still scheduled to take place in October. The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) posted on its website that it is moving forward with the Fresh Summit expo, scheduled... more »
FDA flexible with farms regarding exemption under Produce Safety Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced May 22 that it will provide flexibility regarding eligibility criteria for the qualified exemption under the Produce Safety Rule during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the FDA... more »
