When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the NABC was there for the blueberry industry, serving as a conduit to key resources and tools to help the industry navigate this challenging time. The NABC also worked to ensure blueberry growers qualified for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments. After an initial USDA market analysis ruled that the blueberry industry was not eligible, the NABC rallied with industry leadership and advocated for the inclusion of blueberry growers in CFAP, providing a crucial lifeline to those severely impacted by COVID-19.
As the impacts of the pandemic begin to ease, NABC will continue to help you navigate remaining challenges and issues that arise. Provided below are links to the latest information and continued assistance programs from relevant federal agencies and NABC.
About the Virus
- Key Facts about COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- COVID-19 Global Cases Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University
Supply Chain Implications
General
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Labor
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- H-2A Visa Program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- COVID-19 Overview by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- COVID-19 Standards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- COVID-19 Essential Employee Letter by the North American Blueberry Council
- Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans With Disabilities Act by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) FAQ’s: Related to COVID-19 Impact on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- COVID-19 Webinar: Labor and Workplace Q&A by the North American Blueberry Council
- Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Farming/Growing
- Coronavirus and Drinking Water and Wastewater by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Pesticides: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
Manufacturing and Warehouse
- FDA Provides Temporary Flexibility Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Transportation and Distribution
- COVID-19 FAQ for Foodservice: Receiving and Food Packaging by North Carolina State University
- COVID-19 FAQ for Grocery Stores: Receiving and Food Packaging by North Carolina State University
Point of Purchase
- Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- COVID-19 FAQ for Grocery Stores: General Questions and Employee Health by North Carolina State University
- COVID-19 FAQ for Foodservice: General Questions and Employee Health by North Carolina State University
- COVID-19 Food Safety FAQ for Takeout by North Carolina State University
- Handling COVID-19 at Farmers’ Markets by North Carolina State University
- Handling COVID-19 at U-Pick Farms by North Carolina State University
- Handling COVID-19 at Community Gardens by North Carolina State University
- COVID-19 Impact by FoodMinds and the North American Blueberry Council
- Berry Category Weekly Volume and Pricing Trends at Retail w/e 4.18 by FoodMinds and the North American Blueberry Council
Consumer Food Safety at Home
- COVID-19 and Food Safety FAQ by North Carolina State University
- COVID-19 and Food Safety FAQ: Shopping and Handling Groceries by North Carolina State University
- Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Homes and Residential Communities by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources by the Produce For Better Health Foundation
Expert Assistance
If you’re experiencing any issues with supply chain/moving food/transportation, contact FEMA at [email protected]. This is a 24/7 operation of the National Business Emergency Operations Center. They will direct your inquiry to the proper party.
If you have questions for USDA about H-2A Visa processing, email [email protected]. If you have questions about food safety and COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is accepting submissions here.