COVID-19

Produce closes out summer sales on high note

Labor Day boosted virtually all departments back into double-digit gains over year ago, particularly with the holiday weekend falling a week later than it did in 2019. Fresh produce had a stellar week, with gains... more »

Video series provides guidance on COVID-19 safety precautions for farmworkers

As the fall harvest season begins, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are launching a nine-part video series created to provide guidance on COVID-19 safety precautions for... more »

Importance of maintaining ag trade flows during COVID-19 stressed

Following the virtual G-20 Agriculture and Water Ministers Meeting hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sept. 12, top agricultural officials from five Western Hemisphere countries – Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United... more »

USDA has resource hub on local food system response to COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a hub designed to assist local and regional food producers as USDA and its partners develop, share and assess resources on local and regional food system responses... more »

Fresh produce beats 2019 Labor Day results in tough week

The last full week of August saw the smallest produce sales increases since the start of the pandemic across virtually all departments. Prior months had shown weak final week of the month sales and, in... more »

Managed varieties persevere during pandemic

Managed apple varieties are boldly continuing their marketing efforts in a season disrupted by disease. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, other challenges remain: A crowded field of competing apples, non-discriminating customers and retailers trying... more »

Gebbers Farms: COVID-19 testing confirms prevention measures work

State COVID-19 testing at one of Washington’s largest fruit growers indicates that Gebbers Farms’ preventive measures have been effective at protecting workers, though the family-owned company continues to mourn the loss of three team members... more »

California county joins harvest program providing temporary housing to ag workers

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on Sept. 3 announced that Santa Barbara County has joined Housing for the Harvest, a new program announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom in August to provide temporary... more »

Michigan reminds agritourism outlets to follow COVID-19 safety guidance

As Michigan moves into autumn, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) on Sept. 3 reminded the state’s U-pick, corn mazes and other agri-tourism operations opening up to implement and follow plans to... more »

What the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program means for specialty crop producers

In this Ask the Expert, Charles Stephens, Associate Deputy Administrator, Specialty Crops Program, for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) answers a few questions on how the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) can assist specialty crop... more »