COVID-19
Contact your congressional representatives to encourage them to include targeted relief for the specialty crop industry. Click the link above to access AMI's Toolkit.
AMI Resources
AMI has prepared a COVID-19 Best Practices (living) document based on conversations and emails of what members are doing with their businesses and workers to deal with the coronavirus. Members can download the word document and amend with company logos, intro statements, etc. We will update as we receive additional information.
- Inform all employees about coronavirus, how it spreads, and how to prevent getting infected.
- Print the CDC factsheets and posters, post in your workplace and employee housing facilities.
- Clean and disinfect your workplace in addition to current sanitization practices. The employee breakroom and bathroom are common places for virus to be transmitted. Clean and disinfect any areas where employees congregate or routinely touch items such as doorknobs and computer keyboards. Set up daily and weekly cleaning schedules.
- Provide guidance to help employees clean and disinfect their own homes.
- CDC: Clean & Disinfect
- Employees sometimes come to work believing they will face punishment or firing if they miss work. Be sure your employees understand that their health and that of their co-workers’ comes first. Communicate and make a plan to cover for sick employees.
- Prepare your disaster contingency plan. What will you do if 50% of your employees become sick and unable to work? Are there neighboring farms who might be able to share resources in an emergency? Who will manage for a few weeks if you or another key manager are unable to leave your house or are hospitalized?
- Again, reiterate verbally, using the attached resources and using resources online:
- While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Federal Resources
- SBA Potential Financial Resources for Farms -- A list of POTENTIAL programs to help farmers due to COVID-19
- Ag highlights from HR 748: The Coronavirus Relief Package
- Disaster Loan Assistance -- Disaster loan assistance, federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters
- [email protected] -- A dedicated email designed to raise concerns about supply chain logistic and regulatory concerns raised by COVID-19.
Industry Resources
- AMI and Other Commodities Urge USDA Sonny Perdue to include targeted relief for the specialty crop industry
- CDC website -- COVID-19
- CDC When and How to Wash Your Hands
- OSHA Guidance -- Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- OSHA Guidance for Workplaces to Reduce Exposure to COVID-19 -- English
- OSHA Guidance for Workplaces to Reduce Exposure to COVID-19 -- Spanish
- DOL -- Q&A COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act
- FDA COVID-19 Q&A -- Questions and answers that address the industry's food safety concerns that are relevant to the COVID-19 outbreak
- USDA website -- Coronavirus FAQs
- United Fresh COVID-19 Guidance for Consumers -- Consumer and employee questions
- United Fresh COVID-19 Industry Resources -- Information critical to keeping the supply chain moving
- Comprehensive and Updated Facts for Employers on COVID-19
- USDA Statement on Food Safety and Marketing and Regulatory Programs
- No Reason to Avoid Fresh Produce -- Questions from customers? Read this article from The Packer.
Guidance for Farms
- List of PPE Distributors -- Top 40 list of suppliers based on volume
- What to Do if an Employee Tests Positive -- Protocols on how to handle if an employee tests positive
- Employee Obligations Under New Families First Coronavirus Response Act -- Karen Eichman, Eichman Law
- USDOT Commercial Vehicles -- Guideline applies specifically to trucks delivering food/groceries for “emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores"
- Food, Beverage and Other Services -- CA Department of Public Health
- Morning Ag Clips -- Coronavirus Prevention and Control for Farms
Pennsylvania-Specific Guidance and Surrounding Areas
- PA 'Stay at Home' Order -- Agriculture considered life sustaining
- Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-Person Operations
- List of PA Businesses -- PA Gov. Wolf orders all non life-sustaining businesses closed. Agriculture is considered life-sustaining. (3.18.20)
- Travel Certificate for Employees -- employees can carry with them as they travel on food/ag business
- Travel Certificate for Transportation of Food -- for transporting food/ag supplies
- Farms on On-Farm Deliveries -- From PA Department of Agriculture
- Food Processors and Manufacturers -- From FDA and PA Department of Agriculture
- Farmers Markets and On-Farm Markets -- From PA Department of Agriculture
- EIDL Benefits for PA -- SBA disaster assistance loans are typically only available to small businesses within counties identified as disaster areas by a Governor. Under the revised criteria, disaster assistance loans will be available statewide following an economic injury declaration. This will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to Coronavirus.