Coronavirus Resources
Farmers, Consumers, & Farmers Market Managers
We’re working to compile the most current resources for farmers, market managers, consumers, and other food system stakeholders such that communities can make informed decisions and still have access to fresh, healthy foods in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Editor’s Note: We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available. Please check back periodically.
Covid 19 Resources – to help mitigate the challenges facing the food and farm system
For All:
- Extension’s Guidelines and Resources for everyone!
- VDACS COVID-19 Resources
- Commonwealth of Virginia Coronavirus updates
- USDA Launches A Resource Hub on Local Food System Response to COVID-19
For Farmers:
- FAQ for U-Pick Farms: Steps for Farm Managers
- Virginia Farm Bureau: Producer Resources Related to the Coronavirus COVID-19
- United Fresh Fresh Produce Industry Resources
- Farm Commons podcast series about COVID-19’s impacts on farm businesses.
- VCE Food Safety Resources
- ATTRA Sustainable Ag Resource Page https://attra.ncat.org/covid/
- Cornell Small Farms Program – Building Farm Resilience During COVID-19
- Farm Aid Resources for Farmers Affected by COVID-19
- FH CASA Communications Resources for Farm Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Farmers Legal Action Group Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief April 2020
- SMALL BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT RELIEF FUNDING RESOURCES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19: LOANS, GRANTS, AND OTHER FUNDING (UPDATED DAILY)
- Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief – 3rd Edition by Farmers Legal Action Group
- Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) from Farmers’ Legal Action Group
Online Sales Platforms most used in Virginia:
- Farmers Guide to Direct Sales Platforms
- Lulu’s Local Food https://www.luluslocalfood.com/
- Virginia Market Maker https://va.foodmarketmaker.com/
- CSAWare (a service of Local Harvest) https://www.csaware.com/
- Barn2Door https://www.barn2door.com/
- Local Food Marketplace https://home.localfoodmarketplace.com/
- Local Line https://site.localline.ca/
Food Hub and CSA Info:
- SSAWG Food Hub Starter Kit
- SSAWG Food Hub Webinars
- Wallace Center Starting a Food Hub: Successful Hubs Share Their Stories
- NC State Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Resource Guide for Farmers
- CSA’s in Virginia
- USDA Food Hub Directory in VA
Funding and Disaster Relief:
- NSAC RFA Roundup: Spring 2020 Funding Opportunities
- American Farmland Trust – Farmer Relief Fund
- USDA COVID-19 Resources
- American Farm Bureau Federation UPDATE: Paycheck Protection Loans Available to Farmers, Regardless of Revenue, Apply Now
- Food Animal Concerns Trust Emergency mini-grants (Waiting list)
For Farmers Markets:
- Virginia Farmer’s Market Association
- Farmers Markets: Steps for Markets and Market Managers
- RAFI-USA’s Supporting Alternative Sales Options for Direct to Market Farmers
- Farmers Market Coalition’s Farmers Market Recommendations
- NC State’s Build a Handwashing Station
- CFSA Farmers Market Toolkit
- Alternative Farmers Market Models: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many farmers markets shut down. As guidance on social distancing and public health emerged, farmers markets altered their structure to comply and continue serving vendors and customers safely and effectively. Some changed to contactless drive-thru or curbside models, where customers pre-ordered products online or by phone before picking them up in their vehicles. Others opted for crowd control measures or limited entry designs, allowing a limited number of visitors into the market at a time to allow maximum social distancing. In addition, some markets changed their model altogether from a traditional farmers market to a local food aggregator. Read more
For Restaurant & Hospitality Groups:
- National Restaurant Association Guidance
Recent Webinars:
NC Cooperative Extension’s How to Setup a FREE On-line Store (with Square)
Market Ready: Farm to eCommerce Webinar
VABF-NCAT Farmer Listening Session
VCE Expanding Food Safety Protocols in an evolving landscape of COVID-19
NCAT-Wallace Center Food Hub Listening Session & Notes
Future Harvest COVID-19 Discussion
Wallace Center Briefing: Food & Farm Businesses Navigate the CARES Act
PASA COVID-19 Financial Assistance for Farms & Small Businesses
Articles of Interest:
- Hana Newcomb column: Farmers markets are essential — like grocery stores
- Drive-thru markets offer chance to support local farmers during pandemic
- Food System Resilience in a Time of Crisis: Considerations and Resources for the Community
- How Small Farms Can Survive the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Beating the virus: Farmers markets and growers adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions
- Insights on consumer perceptions on local food during the pandemic
The Consumer Food Insights Series shares analyses from a survey conducted by Colorado State University of 5,000 households in the fall of 2020. The most recent release explores how consumer perceptions and time impact expenditures during the pandemic. The main takeaway messages are:
- More consumers shifted to local and regional food markets, particularly small, independent food stores and artisan food stores. These are important market access points for local producers.
- Transparency and evidence of “locally grown” is important for buyers of local foods. Examples of information that could be shared include: a map of farm and location of markets and restaurants where farm products can be found; number of years the business has been part of the community; and information about the farmer or business owner the customer is supporting).
- Restaurants do not seem to gain business from local food buyers, even if independent and locally owned. Perhaps local restaurants who do want to position themselves with local food enthusiasts will see these results as a reason to align with the local producers and food markets to jointly promote the local food scene in their community. Read More
