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Commissioner Nikki Fried Highlights $522 Million in COVID-19 Crop Losses and Importance of Agriculture Aid

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) released the Florida Seasonal Crop COVID-19 Impact Assessment, a new report providing data on crop losses facing Florida farmers. Based on figures reported by growers, total crop losses across the state through mid-April 2020 may exceed $522.5 million. Florida is the nation’s second-largest producer of seasonal specialty …

Peach Crew Safety a Concern for Farmers During COVID-19

Web AdminAlabama, Food Safety, Georgia, Peaches, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, says the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced peach producers and farming operations to take extra precautions when protecting their crews from becoming sick. “They have separate crews so they’re trying to keep the crews a little more separated this year. …

UF/IFAS Extension Veteran: Farmers Give to Food Banks in Time of COVID-19

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Vegetables

By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu With the COVID-19 shutdowns increasing people’s need for food, some consumers rely on nonprofits for a bite to eat. To help, farmers in Florida and elsewhere are donating excess produce to food banks, said a UF/IFAS expert. In fact, some food banks are helping farmers by offsetting some of their costs, thus incentivizing growers to harvest …

New Partnerships Emerge for COVID-19 Relief

Web AdminFlorida, General, Industry News Release

Florida Farmers Team with State Leaders to Launch Farm to Inmate Program Harvested produce crops feed Florida Department of Corrections’ (FDC) more than 87,000 inmates; action saves food costs while reducing COVID-19 related supply chain impacts.  (FFA) — Florida farmers are uncovering new solutions to address supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Florida’s emergency order to shutter businesses …

COVID-19 and Food Safety: Fact and Fiction for Food Production

Web AdminFlorida, Food Safety, Top Posts

By: Ruth Borger, University of Florida LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Consumers are being bombarded with tips for what to do with their groceries during the coronavirus crisis. Leave them in the garage for three days? Wash the produce with soapy water? Wipe all packaging down with disinfectant wipes? Listen to the science, say University of Florida Institute of Food and …

COVID-19 Keeps Georgia Produce Farmers From Hiring Labor, Exporting Crops

Web AdminFruit, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Sharon Dowdy, University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Georgia produce farmers are used to fighting plant diseases on their crops, but planting resistant varieties or spraying pesticides won’t keep Coronavirus (COVID-19) away. This disease has shut down borders and reduced access to the markets where farmers sell their crops, is keeping essential farm labor out of …

Florida Watermelon Farmers Face Uncertainty Due to COVID-19

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Watermelon

(UF/IFAS) — As fruit and vegetable farmers in South Florida decide what to do with produce once destined for now-closed schools and restaurants, watermelon farmers in North Florida have recently finished planting their crop. Given the uncertainty around the market for fresh produce, the decision to plant came down to economics, said Mark Warren, agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Levy …

United Fresh Start Foundation Starts COVID-19 Donation Program to Help Kids and Familes

Web AdminAgri-business, Fruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

Contact: Mary Coppola mcoppola@unitedfresh.org 202-303-3425 WASHINGTON, DC (April 6, 2020) – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Fresh Start Foundation is offering a new grant program — COVID-19 Rapid Response FRESH Grants — to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for children and families in need, while also creating opportunities for foodservice distributors who face the loss …

Here’s Some Tips on Handling COVID-19 on Produce Farms and in Packinghouses

Web AdminFood Safety, Fruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Laurel Dunn (UGA CAES News) While there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is a food safety concern, it is a worker health concern as it spreads via close person-to-person contact or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Food does not appear to be a likely cause of COVID-19 transmission, but many of the same practices used to prevent …

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Fried, Ag Associations Urge USDA to Act Quickly on COVID-19 aid

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts

The CARES Act, a $2 trillion federal stimulus bill, was signed into law March 27 to aid American businesses and citizens who have been severely affected by COVID-19. A $9.5 billion allocation was set aside for American farmers, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried is asking the USDA to act immediately in getting them their distribution. Fried sent a …