Managing Through the COVID-19 Crisis: Adapting to Policies and Procedures (May 21)
A new self-check preparedness resource was created to help fresh produce growers, shippers, packers and handlers evaluate their organization’s preparedness in mitigating the spread of and preventing COVID-19 in their facilities and workforces.
Early Change
Unsurprisingly, more than 85% of poll participants stated their business created or updated their initial COVID-19 prevention and worker protection checklist within the last month.
Participants shared changes that their organizations planned and enacted early in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy:
- extensive cleaning and sanitization of high-trafficked work spaces, with more frequent breaks for cleaning,
- stockpiling and providing individual cloth masks to workers so as not to take away from the medical industry,
- providing clear, informative and educational communications and leadership to workers,
- enacting aggressive social distancing measures in both the field and in the packing house and,
- creating a community “bubble” for workers by providing whatever supplies they needed so that they did not need to leave and put themselves at risk.
Many organizational leaders exhibited the behaviors they wanted from their employees and demonstrated the need for urgency through education and communication.
Challenges in Safety
When it comes to H2A housing for workers, it is difficult to social distance in dormitory type housing. Additionally, many workers are bused in from housing, or carpool to save money. These transportation challenges have caused issues as well, and many companies have either used more buses, or put fewer people on a bus at a time to transport them.
While many worker safety challenges stem from social distancing practices, one participant has noted an even more concerning challenge that will become more of a challenge as the summer months approach: All organizations have been requiring field workers to use face masks when harvesting, whether in the field, tunnel or shade house/greenhouse.
When harvesting in particularly hot weather, workers have found it increasingly difficult to breathe and function normally with the masks on. Depending on the environment and the product that workers are harvesting, organizations have had to provide some flexibility to workers.
In cases of harvesting in open environments, particularly where social distancing is naturally practiced, such as harvesting from bushes that create natural barriers between people, workers have been able to lower their masks below their noses to aid in breathing and functionality. Before workers leave the field they must raise their face masks back above their noses, and partake in extra sanitization.
Look to the Future
Most participants stated their organizations are moving forward with normal planting and planning procedures. There has been some drop in demand for crops used in foodservice (such as cherry tomatoes), but demand overall has been consistent with what was expected.
In terms of testing, as more regular COVID-19 testing becomes available, many companies will likely enact new measures:
- 48% of poll respondents predict their company will enact regular, proactive testing of employees
- 35% of respondents predict their company will enact reactive testing of all employees if an individual COVID-19 case is discovered
- 26% predict their company will enact reactive testing of employees based on contact tracing only, and
- 17% predict their company will enact broad testing if community or regional cases increase based on testing.
Communication and guidelines from regulatory agencies have been helpful, participants said. One participant went so far as to say surprise visits from a regulatory agency has helped their organization through verifying their protection practices.
Here are additional resources PMA members have found helpful:
Fresh Produce Sales Remained Highly Elevated at +17% Vs. Year Ago (May 18)
In the ninth week of coronavirus-related shopping, patterns continued to evolve. Between the typical Mother’s Day sales boost and shoppers flocking to the store once more to stock up on meat amid ongoing coverage of shortages, grocery sales had another good week, and produce along with it. Trip, spending and channel choices continued to be in flux and fresh e-commerce is here to stay. All these developments had significant impact on fresh produce sales.
Fresh produce gains remained highly elevated the second week of May. Fresh produce growth for the week of May 10 versus the comparable week in 2019 increased 17.1% — virtually unchanged from the prior week. Fresh vegetables continued to easily outperform fruit, but both achieved double-digit increases. Meanwhile, consumer interest in all three temperature states for fruits and vegetables continued, with dollars split between fresh, frozen and shelf-stable. Download the full report.
Members Helping Members: Data Tools and Forecasting Counsel During Uncertain Times (May 18)
We reached out to technology companies for advice as our industry grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, our contributors encourage the use of digital documentation to illustrate fluctuations in business due to COVID-19. Analysis of this data will help you understand new trends and adapt to meet future demand.
Members Helping Members: Sustainability Counsel During Uncertain Times (May 18)
We reached out to volunteer members of the PMA Sustainability Committee for advice as our industry grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. As business leaders attempt to navigate the challenges of the crisis, it can be difficult to know how to keep sustainability values aligned with the often conflicting demands. Here, our contributors share advice on how to facilitate a creative approach to sustainability in times of uncertainty.
Managing, Handling and Disposal of PPE Associated with COVID-19 (May 14)
New handling and disposal procedures are necessary in fresh produce supply chain to maintain safety in the face of SARS-CoV-2. The specific transmission capabilities of this virus are taken into account in this article, which provides action-oriented guidelines and resources to help you generate a safe PPE handling and disposal process for your organization.
Understanding Consumers to Drive Demand: Health, Finance and Community Support (May 14)
This week’s global/grower-shipper/supply chain conversation followed the Virtual Town Hall general session’s theme of the economics of recovery. PMA Vice President, Insights & Analytics, Gina Jones provided a summary of industry reports on research and findings regarding consumer insights.
Following the update, a panel of industry experts from Limoneira, Coastline Family Farms and Fresh Insights joined PMA Vice President, Supply Chain and Sustainability, Ed Treacy in a Q&A session, paired with audience polls, on how different sectors of the global supply chain are reading and using consumer sentiment data to understand trends and plan for a future that will look very different. Here are the key themes that were discussed.
PMA Research and Findings Regarding Consumer Trends
PMA research partner Nielsen broke down consumer shopping during COVID-19 into six phases: protective health minded buying, reactive health management, pantry preparation, quarantined living preparation, restricted living and living a new normal. PMA’s Jones said consumers are transitioning from phase five into phase six.
Phase six is broken down into three possible scenarios: rebound, reboot and reinvent. If we have a recovery in the next three months, consumers will be in the rebound phase, where the focus is largely on health concerns, financial constraint, support for the community and appreciation for the essentials.
Health Concerns
Consumer focus for the next few months will largely drive their consumption and shopping habits. Due to the focus on health concerns, many consumers will shop for nutritional and immunity-boosting foods, such as fresh produce. This shift toward health concerns has also seen a trend toward more packaging. A participant poll during the roundtable found that 91% of respondents feel a preference for packaged produce will continue past the pandemic.
Most participants agreed a continued preference for packaged produce is in the future for safety and branding reasons. They also argued that while there is more packaging is being used during the pandemic, sustainability is a trend that is ingrained in consumers’ minds at this point, and there will be more sustainable packaging options coming in the future. One participant pointed out that because of this sustainability mindset, particularly in Europe, consumers want to see packaging used for a purpose and not used pointlessly.
Financial Constraint
With massive shifts in the economy and businesses taking hits, financial constraint will be a large focus for consumers coming out of COVID-19. Nielsen predicts that consumers will be risk averse for the next year, leaning more into “tried and true” brands that they trust, or discount brands that are a lower financial risk to purchase. As a result, middle-of-the-road brands may have a tough year in merchandising.
One shift retailers had to make during COVID-19 was to limit SKUs. This was largely done as a way to adjust to the lack of transportation and other supply chain challenges. When looking to keep financial constraints in mind in the future, one participant predicted consumers will crave the diversification of product that re-expanding SKUs would bring. While dropping SKUs helped with ease of business during COVID-19, more than half of poll participants agreed that retailers will likely offer an expanded selection of SKUs again.
Community Support
Nielsen predicts the aftershocks of COVID-19 will have consumers shifting to purchase more locally produced items, and participants of the roundtable agreed that local purchasing is here to stay. Participants mentioned that not only is local purchasing here to stay as a consumer trend, but many businesses also shifted to make relationships and partnerships with local growers during COVID-19, and these partnerships will not be quick to disappear.
Another consumer trend here to stay is online shopping. Nielsen states that according to Supermarket News, e-commerce accounted for roughly 2.6% of U.S. food and beverage retail sales in 2019, but the projected growth in online grocery activity would raise that sales percentage to 3.5%, or nearly $38 billion during COVID-19. The online shopping trend was on the rise before COVID-19, and the pandemic simply escalated the trend more quickly than was anticipated. This trend will continue to expand and express itself differently, creating opportunities for retailers and growers alike.
Appreciation for the Essentials
Poll respondents seemed to agree with Nielsen’s prediction that a consumer appreciation for the essentials is coming when more than half of respondents stated that they predict a downturn in organic sales. Panel participants were not as quick to dismiss the sector. As one panelist pointed out, the organics sector has a very strong and loyal following that will likely continue their purchases. Historically the sector has flexed due to factors such as supply chain and economic issues. While the demand for organics may initially dip now due to purchasing power, participants seemed confident that it will bounce back. One participant noted organics is likely to come back as a strong branding strategy, both due to its affordable luxury appeal and the story it allows the brand to tell.
This is part of a series of weekly PMA virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual town hall and virtual roundtable will be held next Wednesday, May 20.
USDA to Host Webinar for Producers Interested in Applying for Direct Payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (May 13)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a webinar on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET, for producers interested in applying for direct payments authorized through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). USDA is hosting this webinar to share what information is needed to apply for direct payments through CFAP, once the application period begins. The webinar is an opportunity for producers to learn about the general application process and required documentation prior to the official beginning of signup. Producers who are new to participating in FSA programs are especially encouraged to join the webinar. Register here.
COVID-19 Guided Self-Check (May 12)
This self-check guidance document is designed to help you and your team make critical business decision and enhance employee safety in the workplace. We integrated the questions that our members have been asking, and generated this as a comprehensive guide to COVID-19-related best practices and procedures in your workplace.
Retail Sales Report: Fresh Produce Sales Gains Remained in Double-Digits the First Week of May (May 11)
Two months into the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery patterns continue to evolve. Initially, trips were plentiful as consumers sought to stock up their pantries, fridges and freezers and visited multiple stores to find all the items they were looking for. In recent weeks, trips have come down while the average basket size is growing. Meanwhile, online grocery shopping continues to gain in popularity. All these developments have significant impact on fresh produce sales. Download the full report.
Distributor Announcement for USDA Food Box Program (May 8)
Today, the USDA announced the suppliers granted contracts to participate in the new Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The list of selected suppliers can be found here.
The Families to Farmers program, which has committed to providing$461 million in fresh fruit and vegetable purchases, was created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The solicitation invited proposals from offerors (distributors, etc.) to supply commodity boxes to non-profit organizations, identified by the offeror, on a mutually agreeable, recurring schedule. USDA awarded contracts for the purchase of the agricultural products, the assembly of commodity boxes and delivery to identified non-profit organizations that can receive, store and distribute food items.
While PMA applauds the quick implementation of this new program, we would like to see additional funding be made available by USDA to expand the number of distributors and citizens the initiative is able to reach. Food insecurity did not begin with the global pandemic and will not end with it, either.
The Farmer to Families Food Box Program is a great step towards creating a blueprint for the infrastructure needed for our industry to play a crucial part in getting our fresh, healthy products to those who need it most. PMA will continue to support programs like the Farmers to Families Food Box Program and the Fresh Food Fund which provides a long-term, sustainable model for our industry to provide surplus product to foodbanks and community centers in at risk communities.
Interview with the Experts: Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus, North Carolina State University
Dr. Max Teplitski sat down with the NCSU Distinguished Professor and Member of the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board, Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus to discuss when environmental sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in a food production facility is warranted, share her work on the effectiveness of fogging and technical considerations for the implementation of fogging to control foodborne pathogens. Dr. Jaykus weighs in on issues of personnel safety during fogging as well as treatment of employees with ozone and chlorine dioxide. Finally, she offers her thoughts on what else the industry could do to minimize person-to-person spread of the coronavirus.
The Economics of Recovery: Innovation, Investment and Demand (May 7)
Members of the fresh produce and floral supply chain connected in virtual roundtables on May 6 to discuss the economics of recovery as organizations prepare to return to business during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This week’s global/grower-shipper/supply chain conversation followed the Virtual Town Hall general session’s theme of the economics of recovery. A panel of industry experts from Promar, The Oppenheimer Group (OPPY) and RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness joined PMA Regional Vice President, Membership (Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand), Anouk Sijmonsma in a Q&A session, paired with audience polls, on how different sectors of the global supply chain are preparing to return to business and planning for a future that will look very different. Here are the key themes that were discussed.
Opportunity and Investing in Demand
There is perhaps more uncertainty now than ever, as nations and states discuss re-opening and businesses look to seize new opportunities and invest in the future. In response to a poll that was posed to attendees, about 50% of respondents stated that they are looking for guidance on when to reinvest in operations and minimize the risk of losses. One panelist stated that it is less about an exact point in time, and more about following the right due diligence process and looking for significant indicators. When looking for indicators, political and economic stability is key. Maintaining close relationships with customers and banks is especially important, as they are going to give you the best idea of where your demand, and therefore your cash-flow, is coming from.
More than 50% of participants stated they do not know where to look for information on how to estimate demand for products. The agricultural industry is, historically, in a very good position as an industry that is highly regulated and documented. While there are many powerful sources of information that trace demand for our products, it is also important to note and understand that current and historical data are of limited help in creating a forecast to help decide what to plant. With that said, it is also important to highlight many of the good sources of information that can be used right now. Regulation agencies in various countries, such as the FAO in Rome or the USDA in the United States are a prime example of this.
There are also many trade databases and research organization that track consumer and trade data. PMA has been diligently collecting and posting information from these sources, as well as our own consumer sentiment and trade data for members. This information can all be found on PMA’s COVID-19 resources page. One panelist posited that there is almost no excuse for not understanding the data. Understanding the data is an investment, just as long-term market planning is. While economies will take a downturn, they will recover. It is not a question of if, but rather when.
Innovating for the Future
The COVID-19 outbreak has forced some companies to embrace innovation to survive. An overwhelming 64% of participants responded to a poll question stating they are developing contingent plans with steps to reboot their business. A large part of creating contingency plans comes from understanding investment opportunities, emerging markets, and consumer and trade data. There are pockets of value caused by COVID-19 that businesses and entrepreneurs can look for when creating their plans to reboot their organizations.
When asked about what has changed the most and where the opportunity for innovation is in the wake of COVID-19, participants agreed that the digitization of the retail and foodservice sectors of the industry has some of the greatest potential for long-term innovation. Retail organizations have seen more than 20 million households order groceries online for the first time during COVID-19, and there is a huge opportunity to convert these new customers into long-term consumers. One panelist emphasized this point by explaining that the work from home trend is likely here to stay for many organizations, shifting many households away from eating out for a quick breakfast or lunch to eating multiple meals at home.
Another panelist pointed out opportunities for retailers based on a spike in consumer demand. With more produce being purchased more frequently, retailers have the power to seek alternative channels to source their produce. This is a prime opportunity for retailers and growers to introduce second grade produce into the retail market. While second grade produce is equally as nutritious as first grade, it is often sent to processing plants due to strict aesthetic requirements. In a new age of high demand, customers may not care as much about the look of their produce. Consumers are also focusing more on the safety of their produce, and how much it is exposed to certain elements. This provides an opportunity for the packaging sector to look to new, or different, types of packaging, such as top sealed packages.
The response to innovation has not been as ubiquitous in the foodservice industry. While many quick service, and even fast casual restaurants, have seen massive success with delivery and online ordering, most fine-dining restaurants have opted out of the trend, stating that it does not coincide with their premise. As a result, fine dining as a sector has seen an 80% decrease in sales, while quick service has only seen a 40% decline in sales. With a 70% year-over-year increase in delivery sales overall, now is the time to innovate processes, research investment opportunities, and adapt to consumer demand.
This is part of a series of weekly virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual town hall and virtual roundtable focused on consumer demand and will be held next Wednesday, May 13.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Provides Guidance on Agricultural Business Applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) (May 5)
The USDA and the Small Business Administration held a briefing call on access to the EIDL program for agriculture. See notes from that briefing.
Amid Strong Perimeter Growth, Produce Sales Jumped Back Up (May 4)
During the last full week of April, grocery shopping patterns remained vastly different. Since early March, food spending has been highly elevated, trips have been shifting away from the weekend to weekdays, baskets have become bigger as shoppers seek to minimize trips and prepare more meals at home, and online engagement continues to grow.
Following a tough week that went up against the Easter 2019 sales bump, fresh produce gains jumped right back into the double-digits the final week of April. Fresh produce growth for the week of April 26 versus the comparable week in 2019 increased 22.9%. Fresh vegetables continued to easily outperform fruit, but the latter was back in the high teens and not all that different from gains seen in shelf-stable fruit that was up 28.2%. Meanwhile, consumer interest in all three fruit and vegetable offerings continued, with dollars split between fresh, frozen and shelf-stable. Frozen produce once more had the strongest gains, up 57.6%.
Download the full report
USDA announces additional Section 32 food purchase plans (May 4)
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of the federal governments fiscal year 2020 (July – September 2020), in addition to the ‘Farmers to Families’ food-box distribution purchases previously announced. The program will enable USDA to purchase surplus food for distribution to communities nationwide.
More information
Fresh Produce and Floral Industry Members Connect on Latest COVID-19 Disruptions: Grower/Shippers (April 30)
Members of the fresh produce and floral supply chain connected in virtual roundtables on April 29 to discuss the most pressing labor challenges and issues impacting them as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This week’s global/grower-shipper/supply chain conversation followed the Virtual Town Hall General Session’s theme of workforce and talent management. A panel of industry experts from CoCanMex, West Side Produce and Washington State Tree Fruit Association joined PMA Global Regional Vice President, Central & South America/Mexico Nancy Tucker in a Q&A session, paired with audience polls, on how different sectors of the global supply chain are handling workforce and labor challenges to keep the fresh food supply chain open and to keep workers and consumers safe. Here are the key themes that were discussed.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to keep the fresh food supply chain open. Due to the ever shifting and changing nature of the situation, growers and shippers have been faced with many unique workforce and labor challenges, which have forced them to adapt their processes and guidelines. One panelist noted that the COVID-19 situation is fluid and you need to be able to adapt your organization as it evolves.
One major issue with labor is working with seasonal workers from different areas. One grower in Mexico noted that this year it has been difficult to train new workers in the necessary hygiene and social distancing requirements mandated by the pandemic. Because workers need to be a certain distance apart, additional transportation and lodging have been necessary, driving up labor costs and creating operational challenges. While growers can, and have been, putting guidelines and processes in place in the field and packing houses to help with social distancing and cleaning and sanitizing, they cannot control what happens when workers leave their work in the field and go home for the day. Many workers are family oriented and used to interacting in close spaces. These workers go home to other family members or interact closely with co-workers and friends, who are also working and may have been exposed to the virus.
Organizations have been overcoming these labor and workforce challenges by putting social distancing processes in place on buses, in lodgings, out in the field, and inside packinghouses. Many participants stated that they have ramped up their cleaning and sanitization efforts as well, with hand sanitizer stations and disinfectant wipes littered throughout facilities. One panelist stated that their organization has assigned one person to be in charge of cleaning and sanitization to ensure consistency. In addition to cleaning and sanitization, organizations are also providing protective gear such as gloves and masks to employees as those materials become more readily available again.
While physical practices such as social distancing, cleaning and sanitizing, and the use of protective equipment are important; all participants stated that education and communication have been key components of their COVID-19 plans. Organizations start by making up-to-date facts and statistics about the virus available to employees. This information helps emphasize the importance of following social distancing and cleaning and sanitizing guidelines. Training and retraining are implemented in their operations. Many regulatory agencies, associations, and even internal organizations themselves are using resources such as videos, flyers, posters and fact sheets on how to stay safe, healthy, and properly sanitize to get rid of the virus. One participant stated that their association, like many others, has created a video on how to properly wash hands and has made it available to the public via their YouTube page. Resources like these are being utilized by growers and shippers globally to make sure that their workforce has the resources necessary to safeguard against the virus.
Overall, participants expressed concerns about their access to labor; the economic impact of extended shutdowns, and most importantly, the health and safety of their employees and consumers.
This is part of a series of weekly virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual town hall and virtual roundtable focused on the economics of recovery will be held next Wednesday, May 6.
Interview with the Experts: Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus, North Carolina State University (April 27)
Dr. Max Teplitski sat down with the NCSU Distinguished Professor and Member of the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board, Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus to discuss when environmental sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in a food production facility is warranted, share her work on the effectiveness of fogging and technical considerations for the implementation of fogging to control foodborne pathogens. Dr. Jaykus weighs in on issues of personnel safety during fogging as well as treatment of employees with ozone and chlorine dioxide. Finally, she offers her thoughts on what else the industry could do to minimize person-to-person spread of the coronavirus.
USDA Tips for Applying to the Buy Fresh Program (April 28)
On Friday, April 24, the USDA announced the RFP process for the new ‘Buy Fresh’ food-box distribution program. The program, which provides $100 million per month for fresh fruit and vegetable purchases, was created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Bids are due on Friday, May 1 for the purchase of the agricultural products, the assembly of commodity boxes and delivery to identified non-profit organizations that can receive, store and distribute food items. Here are full details to the program.
Points to consider in your application:
- Applicants are expected to partner with local foodbanks, schools or faith-based organizations.
- The program is targeted at fresh fruits and vegetables, including cut fruits and vegetables. Contents of individual boxes may change to accommodate seasonality of fruits & veggies.
- A mix of items in a box are preferred, consider including more than a single commodity on your application.
- Nuts are not requested for this solicitation (covered separately under USDA section 32).
Advice to find distribution partners:
- Partner Mindset: Look for reputable organizations that have agility, flexibility and the appropriate resources and systems to distribute product. You want to team with organizations you would partner with for the long run.
- Assess Program: Determine their storage and delivery options to ensure if fits with your organization. Many facilities may need your trucks as part of their distribution programming for hours vs a quick drop off.
- Be Consumer-centric: Think of the needs and tastes of the local communities receiving the distributions. This is an opportunity to grow long-term consumers.
Request For Proposals Frequently Asked Questions
Elevated Everyday Demand Pushes the Week of April 19 Above Prior Year Easter Levels (April 27)
Since the onset of coronavirus in the United States, grocery shopping patterns have been vastly different. Spending has been highly elevated ever since March 8 and much has changed in product and brand choices, trip trends relative to the day of the week and day part, and online engagement. Importantly, the week ending April 19 had to go up against Easter 2019 sales, that fell on April 21 last year. 210 Analytics, IRI and PMA partnered to understand the effect for produce in dollars and volume throughout the pandemic.
Fresh produce growth for the week of April 19 versus the comparable week in 2019 did increase, but much less so then seen in prior weeks, at +3.3%. Vegetables continued to easily outperform fruit and the three-way split of the produce dollar between fresh, frozen and shelf-stable continued. While fresh produce was down to the lower single-digits in terms of year-over-year growth, frozen and canned produce were still up by double digits. Download the full report.
USDA offers assistance to producers to assist in navigating market fluctuations and to invest in improvements to their operations (April 27)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to help producers become even better conservation stewards by providing the tools they need to do the job.
They offer a variety of risk management, disaster assistance, loan and conservation programs to help agricultural producers weather ups and downs in the market and recover from natural disasters as well as invest in improvements to their operations. For more information about USDA programs and services, contact your local USDA service center.
Access further information on this USDA program.
Members Helping Members: Best Practices for Approaching New Retail Customers (April 24)
The COVID-19 crisis has turned our world upside down, especially for suppliers to the foodservice industry. As a result, we know many distributors, wholesalers and grower-shippers are looking for new channels for their products, especially the retail channel.
We reached out to our PMA retailer members around the world for tips on how to approach new customers, especially during this challenging time.
In the spirit of members helping members, they have offered advice on communication, introducing yourself, building trust and more. At a time when we need connections and assistance in unfamiliar territory, these tips might make a difference for you.
Fresh Produce and Floral Industry Members Connect on Latest COVID-19 Disruptions: Grower/Shipper (April 23)
Members of the fresh produce and floral supply chain connected in virtual roundtables on April 22 around the most pressing COVID-19 pandemic disruptions directly impacting them and their businesses.
This week’s supply grower/shipper conversation followed the Virtual Town Hall General Session’s theme of e-commerce or, as host Ed Treacy calls it, “e-tailing.” A panel of industry experts joined Treacy in a Q&A session on how different sectors of the supply chain are shifting and adapting to the new demand for e-commerce. Here are the key themes in the grower/shipper sector that were discussed.
Distributors that largely catered to foodservice, retail and wholesale companies before COVID-19 have had to quickly shift to a business to consumer (B2C) platform to deliver goods directly to the consumer. The biggest changes companies have had to make in this shift have to do with packaging materials as they relate to temperature and sustainability, and transparency of information.
The key to packaging material challenges starts with design. When designing packaging, it is important to note that there is less control over the last mile of delivery now, as product is not being stored in refrigerated trucks or warehouses. Due to this, more packaging is often necessary to keep the temperature of the product regulated.
This increased packaging materials issue leads to a discussion on sustainability. Many companies are still looking to remain sustainable in this time as the sustainable option often helps with costs, and consumers are still looking for companies who keep sustainability in mind. From a science standpoint it is tricky to choose sustainable packaging because if the system is not prepared to handle that packaging then you are turning a positive into a negative. When thinking about the sustainability of plastic, take into account what kind of recycling options there are in the consumers’ area and work with the system and processes that are in place there.
Consumers are still looking for and asking about where their product comes from. Consumers are also curious about what the story of their food is, it is more important than ever to have this information on your website. The question of traceability was discussed. It was determined that traceability is now more important than ever to maintain a high level of consumer confidence in the food system. The last thing we need right now is a prolonged trace back investigation due to a food safety outbreak. Traceability won’t solve outbreaks, but it can help contain it and not do a category killer recall.
At the conclusion of the event PMA Vice President, Global Membership & Engagement, Richard Owen updated participants on resources that PMA is providing on our website. Earlier this week Dr. Trevor Suslow interviewed participant Jeff Brandenburg, President of JSB Group LLC on topics mentioned in today’s Virtual Town Hall.
This is part of a series of weekly virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual roundtable focused on the grower/shipper sector of our industry will be held next Wednesday, April 29.
White House and USDA Announce Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (April 18)
On Friday evening, the White House and the USDA detailed a $19 billion rescue package for farmers and ranchers, to be funded from the CARES Act and other coronavirus spending bills. The package will include direct payments and commodity purchases with the dual purpose to support farmers and ranchers and provide a means to get food that otherwise would not have reached the market to those in need. Read the full PMA update.
Consumer Sentiment During the Coronavirus Crisis (April 16)
PMA's consumer sentiment research aims to provide insight into how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting consumer shopping trends for produce. This is directional information that can help guide PMA members with messaging to consumers during this uncertainty. Our research covers the U.S., Brazil, China and the U.K.
Fresh Produce and Floral Industry Members Connect on Latest COVID-19 Disruptions: Grower/Shipper (April 16)
Members of the fresh produce and floral supply chain connected in virtual roundtables on April 15 around the most pressing COVID-19 pandemic disruptions directly impacting them and their businesses.
Here are the top themes, insights and challenges for grower/shippers.
Ozone Air Disinfection Update:
Airspace ozonation in the supply-side of the produce industry is not common but has been practiced for decades. Various well-intentioned vendors have asserted that the ozone generators operating within packing and processing workspaces, outfitting and break rooms, pre-shipping cold room racking, within transportation trailers, and at distribution centers could protect employees and consumers from COVID-19 exposure. Above regulated exposure limits, ozone is dangerous to workers, and when exposed at even extremely low levels, for an extended period, it can be a respiratory irritant. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the time-weighted average of exposure during an 8-hour workday must be less than 0.1ppm. Clearly, many workday shifts are longer than 8 hours. The concentration being marketed for ozonation of facility airspaces is 0.025 to 0.05 ppm, which may still be an irritant for some workers.
The three applications of ozonation being suggested as a proactive response are:
- Pass-through air filtration and disinfection within an ozone-enriched chamber
- Moderate ozone treatment of facility spaces under overnight locked-out procedures
- Low levels of ozone in the workspace during in-shift worker occupancy
Of the three potential applications, the only feasible and recognized effective application for reducing concerns about COVID 19 persistence would be the ozone treatment of rooms or priority facility spaces. Studies done on other enveloped viruses would predict this would eliminate COVID-19. The USEPA has been consistent in their message that there is ample scientific evidence showing that the low ozone concentrations that do not exceed OSHA’s standards for active work exposure will not remove aerosolized contaminants, therefore not a sensible investment for COVID-19 protection.
This is part of a series of weekly virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual roundtable focused on the grower/shipper sector of our industry will be held next Wednesday, April 22.
PMA Statement: PMA welcomes flexibility in H-2A guest worker announcement (April 15)
Produce Marketing Association has issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding a temporary final rule change to certain H-2A requirements.
On April 15, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a temporary final rule that eases certain H-2A requirements. The change will help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in labor and protect the nation’s food supply chain during this COVID-19 pandemic. PMA is pleased to see the rule change, emphasizing that maintaining a lawful, agricultural labor force during the COVID-19 public health emergency is critical to ensuring our industry has the capacity to continue to safely provide healthy, fresh produce to U.S. consumers.
Here is a summary of the key points in the announcement:
- An H-2A petitioner, such as a grower, with a valid temporary labor certification can begin employing certain foreign workers who are in H-2A status in the U.S. once United States Citizenship and Immigration Services receives the petition. H-2A workers looking to change employers must be in the US already. The net result is more immediate access to a pool of H-2A farm labor.
- H-2A workers are temporarily allowed to stay in the United States beyond the three-year maximum time limit.
The temporary rule is effective immediately once published in the Federal Register.
The changes reflect the commitment from DHS and USDA to help U.S. agricultural employers have continued access to the essential labor force that will allow the fresh produce supply chain to continue to meet consumer demand. We commend DHS and USDA for showing agility in creating this temporary change. PMA will continue to provide up to date information for the industry and our partners as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interview with the experts: Dr. Martial Ndeffo, Texas A&M (April 14)
In today's interview with the experts, Dr, Martial Ndeffo explores the similarities and differences, in terms of epidemiology/mode of transmission, between the Ebola virus and SARS-CoV2. We also discuss how we can adapt Ebola virus learnings to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially as it relates to our industry. Lastly, we reviewed how we might modify the environments in our production facilities and in dorms where employees live to minimize the risk of person-to-person transmission.
Manager's checklist of best practices for field and agricultural labor (April 13)
This checklist is designed for managers of field and agricultural labor to assess and guide your COVID-19-related safety protocols. Learn how to implement best practices in symptom tracking, sick leave policies, personal protection and worker shared living situations.
How Infrared Temperature and Infrared Thermography CAN Help With SARS-CoV-2 Response and Beyond (April 10)
This article provides background on infrared temperature measurement and infrared imaging, from longstanding technical reports and personal experience (nonhuman applications), as the industry considers using these tools as part of a comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 protective response and preventive control in the produce supply chain. Read article.
Non-comprehensive Resource List for EPA Recognized SARS-CoV-2 Active Disinfectants and Related Services
Currently, there are no commercial products validated and specifically labeled for use against SARS-CoV-2. In this type of special needs crisis, the EPA Emerging Pathogen Policy provides scope for professional subject matter expert solicitation and judgement for predicted efficacy based on currently registered chemistries and products and experience against related pathogens. The EPA list is found here. In addition, a comprehensive list of Tier I Products for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection, in compliance and recognized as meeting the requirements of the EPA's Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides, was developed by the American Chemistry Council’s Center for Biocide Chemistries.
The FDA regulates hand sanitizers and their most recent guidance on meeting the current shortages available to food companies may be viewed here.
For simple access to service providers, PMA has put together a non-comprehensive resource list of service suppliers most engaged with its membership. Inclusion on this list does not necessarily imply an endorsement of the company’s products or services and omission from the list does not indicate a company is not positioned to provide such access to supplies and technical support. There are a few currently on the list which have a global representation and some broadly across the U.S. The resource list will be expanded as companies self-identify or become known to PMA as positioned to immediately respond to SARS-CoV-19 disinfectant supplies and technical service needs.
Fresh Produce and Floral Industry Members Connect on Latest COVID-19 Disruptions: Grower/Shipper (April 9)
Members of the fresh produce and floral supply chain connected in virtual roundtables on April 8th around the most pressing COVID-19 pandemic disruptions directly impacting them and their businesses.
Here are the top themes, insights and challenges about grower/shippers:
Non-Contact Infrared Temperature (IRT) and Elevated Body Temperature Screening (EBT)
It is important to note that there is no way to accurately detect an infected person by IRT-screening. Additionally, Spot-target IRT devices are more challenging than IRT digital imaging to obtain sufficiently accurate core body temperature information.
Luckily, the emissivity, or the effectiveness of emitting energy as radiation, of human skin is high and device adjustment is not generally required. IR imaging is very useful for other applications, such as process line screening and hot spots in cold rooms where Listeria might grow.
EBT individual or crowd screening has been used in this situation as well, however not all infected individuals will fit an EBT profile. The typical baseline for a healthy individual and image-range or alarm should be set at +2°C.
In all cases, the individual’s privacy and confidentiality should be respected, and a trained and licensed responder or medical professional must confirm the test.
Greenhouse Update
Participants from the greenhouse sector reported that the priority was their employees’ safety, but that the large amount of space in greenhouses have helped with social distancing and have made it easier to safely continue to work. While growers are in a shoulder season, providing plenty of surplus product, participants reported a challenge in getting the right product to right location as the need looks different everywhere. The focus is on trying to find the right balance of supply and demand for customers. Finally, looking forward, it will be important to pay attention to consumers’ behavior and adjust production plans accordingly.
Labor
Labor is a key issue for growers in all parts of the world. One participating member outlined how they have worked to keep their employees healthy so they can continue to provide food the world needs. They strongly communicate health messages to the community as well as the workers. Social distancing is maintained both in transportation and fields. Worker camps have been set up for migrant labor with strict controls for going in and out, maintaining sanitary conditions, providing food and more.
Food Safety Threats
Dr. Trevor Suslow, PMA Vice President of Produce Safety, outlined that a key concern for produce safety moving forward is drifting away from or losing focus on prerequisite programs. These programs are the standard practices for product safety and environmental management. Looking to the future, the protection of ag labor, facilities and staff across the supply chain will be critical.
This is part of a series of weekly virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual roundtable focused on the grower/shipper sector of our industry will be held next Wednesday, April 15.
Consumer Sentiment During the Coronavirus Crisis (April 9)
PMA's consumer sentiment research aims to provide insight into how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting consumer shopping trends for produce. This is directional information that can help guide PMA and its members with their messaging to consumers during this uncertainty. Download the report.
Digest of Guidance to the Industry (April 6)
This is a digest of WHO, US FDA, CDC, DHS, OSHA, US Equal Employment Commission and EPA guidance to the industry on COVID-19 and how to mitigate the spread of this virus. This document has been updated and is current as of April 5, 2020 to include new FDA recommendations on facility cleaning and detection, and the use of face masks by workers.
Fresh Produce and Floral Industry Members Connect on Latest COVID-19 Disruptions: Grower/Shipper Update (April 2)
Members of the fresh produce and floral supply chain connected in virtual roundtables on April 1 around the most pressing COVID-19 pandemic disruptions directly impacting them and their businesses.
Here are the top themes, insights and challenges about grower/shippers.
Kenny Lund of ALC Logistics provided an overview of domestic perishables transportation and logistics availability. He shared that although their demand has shifted a bit regionally, he didn’t see any shortages, per se, just high demand across all channels. There has been a general increase in loads to retail distribution centers or direct to stores, where demand has been high. There has also been a greater shift to refrigerated transportation in the southwest due to the volumes entering border-crossings from Mexico.
For some attendees, transportation costs have gone up 6 to 9% while others have seen up to a 25% increase. The demand seems to be slowing now that many retailers have been able to restock. There may be a second uptick due to Easter demand and the extended recommendation to shelter in place.
A focus of discussion in the breakout centered around changes to demand in the retail sector. Certain commodities, especially berries, have recently seen demand decrease both domestically and internationally, while other commodities such as citrus and kiwi have seen an increase in demand. It is uncertain if the decrease is due to the perishability of these commodities or consumer misperceptions of its safety. One thing is clear, we must push our world leaders to spread the message to encourage the consumption of fresh produce because it is healthy and nutritious, and to dispel any myths surrounding the safety of the supply chain relative to COVID- 19 transmission.
Other topics were discussed, addressing a variety of issues. One grower discussed the lack of available masks for their workers. There is some disruption in hand sanitation supply, not for food production facilities but for warehouses and growing fields. Some have also seen changes to the way the hand sanitizer is being distributed from dispensing mechanisms.
This is part of a series of weekly virtual events designed to provide up-to-date information and opportunities to connect and discuss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The next virtual roundtable focused on the grower/shipper sector of our industry will be held next Wednesday, April 8. Keep checking pma.com for the most current industry resources and information about the pandemic.
April 1
March 27
HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Information for Employers
HR 6201 is a bill introduced by Rep Nita Lowey, D-NY, that responds to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The bill specifically makes provisions for paid sick leave, tax credits, unemployment benefits and other items.
This fact sheet includes summaries and use for the items related to employers.
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 Among Field Workers
Here is a draft of a flyer to share with your employees about preventing the spread of COVID-19 among field workers.
This document is available in Spanish/ Esto documento está disponible en español.
Postponed FDA Inspections and New FDA Final Guidance
Join PMA Chief Science Officer Max Teplitski as he discusses the postponed FDA inspections and new FDA final guidance for industry entitled “Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” with Tania Martinez, Vice President of Demos Global Group.
During this interview, Ms. Martinez covers what the postponement of inspections really means; PREDICT screening implications; and ensuring you are still in compliance.
The interview is available in both English and Spanish.
English:
Spanish:
March 26
Fresh Produce and Floral Industry Members React to COVID-19 Situation in PMA Virtual Town Hall
Many grower/shippers are seeing challenges regarding labor in the upcoming harvesting season. With most countries practicing social distancing with large groups, there have been challenges utilizing large groups of workers in the fields and packing houses. One solution here is to utilize smaller groups in multiple shifts working farther apart from each other in packing houses and when harvesting.
It is more important than ever to use clear communication to emphasize hygiene and sanitation. Government guidelines from organizations like the CDC and WHO are important as they are consistent and help to dispel misinformation.
For PMA members only: Read the full recap and watch the general session video
March 25
Behind the science – a conversation with two exposure scientists discussing the implications of recent COVID-19 research
It is pretty clear: There is no evidence for foodborne transmission of COVID-19. But what about the worst-case scenario: What if a person who is sick sneezed on a piece of food, and somebody eats it right away?
What measures do we need to implement to ensure that our food supply continues to be the safest in the world?
Answers to these, and other questions, are in this video:
March 23 (Updated April 5)
Over the weekend, our team analyzed recent documents posted by the World Health Organization and U.S. federal agencies (FDA, EPA, DHS and OSHA) that relate to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. This digest mostly deals with two questions: (1) what happens if an employee at a food processing facility tests positive for COVID-19 and (2) what measures to put in place to limit person-to-person transmission at your food facility:
March 20
Across PMA and CGT, we have been in constant contact with our grower-shipper members. Based on their feedback and in service of our vision to grow a healthier world, we are taking the following actions immediately:
- Developing consumer campaigns to drive purchases of fresh fruit, vegetables and floral. We intend to leverage every opportunity and medium possible to ensure people eat our products.
- Hosting a members-only Virtual Town Hall scheduled for March 25 at noon ET with a COVID-19 expert and breakout sessions focused on grower-shippers, global, supply chain, foodservice, retail and floral.
- Repurposing our existing Floral Facebook Group and LinkedIn Fresh Ideas Marketing Community on COVID-19, home to a combined 1,100 members.
- Connecting retailers with foodservice distributors and wholesalers to facilitate the supply chain.
- Leveraging our industry marketing experts to provide marketing advice to the industry. This will be communicated soon.
- Tracking the impact on trade and labor, namely the potential for border closures, the impact on seasonal worker availability, and cross-border trucking, and communicating this globally.
We know our products are safe, nutritious, and provide a multitude of both physical and mental benefits. Fresh fruits and vegetables boost our immune systems and are essential to a healthy lifestyle – vital to everyday life now more than ever.
Our challenge is to reinforce this to the rest of the world.
March 20: USDA allocates approximately $72.4 million to States for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects to support and enhance competitiveness of specialty crop food sector. Federal funds will be allocated to U.S. states, not individuals.
Interested parties should contact state contacts. State departments of agriculture should consult with specialty crop growers, processors, and/or distributors before developing SCBGP project applications to ensure maximum public input and benefit. Note that ornamental hort commodities are considered specialty crops. State applications are due May 27.
March 20: USDA announces an initiative to deliver 1 million meals per week to a limited number of rural students whose schools have closed because of the virus
The department is partnering with PepsiCo, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global and others to provide boxes with five days’ worth of healthy, shelf-stable, individually packaged foods.
USDA has created a single contact for those who have suggestions, ideas, or want to help feed kids across the country. Email feedingkids@usda.gov.
“Feeding children who are affected by school closures is a top priority for President Trump and this Administration. USDA is working with private sector partners to deliver boxes of food to children in rural America who are affected by school closures,” said Secretary Perdue. “Right now, USDA and local providers are utilizing a range of innovative feeding programs to ensure children are practicing social distancing but are still receiving healthy and nutritious food. This whole of America approach to tackling the coronavirus leverages private sector ingenuity with the exact same federal financing as the Summer Food Service Program. USDA has already taken swift action to ensure children are fed in the event of school closures, and we continue to waive restrictions and expand flexibilities across our programs.”
