2/10/21 – Food and agriculture workers included in next round of vaccines. “Frontline essential workers 50 years and above who work within six feet of others. This includes law enforcement, public safety, first responders, food and agriculture workers, transportation and logistics workers, water, wastewater and utility workers and more.” See the press release for more information on eligibility.
1/25/21 – AFMA sent a letter to to AVAAC on behalf of all market vendors, managers, and volunteers.
Find the letter here.
“We are writing to ask that you ensure the farmers’ market industry, including farmers, farmworkers, vendors, and farmers’ market managers, are included in the Phase 1B Tier 4 vaccination plan, along with other essential workers.”
The Alaska Farmers Market Association is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 health crisis closely.
5/8/20- DEC posted updated guidance: https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/food/farmers-markets/covid-19-guidance/
4/3/20 - Alaska Dept. of Health and Human Services has declared farmers markets as essential! Click link below for more information and stay tuned for more guidance, signage, and webinar.
3/19/20 -
We are seeking guidance from our partners at the AK DEC Food Safety & Sanitation, AK Dept. of Health and Social Services, Washington State Farmers Market Association, and the National Farmers Market Coalition. We believe the availability of local foods is key to a healthy community and economy, and that markets are an important and essential platform for our farmers, processors and other small businesses to sell directly to that community. We are looking at all options, with public health at the forefront of all decisions.
As the situation continues to develop, we will do all we can to keep markets, vendors, and customers informed on resources, guidance, and safety precautions for having a robust 2020 market season. Please be patient, as the situation and guidance changes daily. Below you will find some resources to help you better understand the situation.
Do your best to social distance, flatten the curve, and wash your hands.
In solidarity,
Robbi Mixon, Homer Farmers Market and AFMA President &
Brad St. Pierre, Tanana Valley Farmers Market and AFMA Vice President
Alaska Farmland Trust Downlodable Infographics
Click the picture to the left or visit: https://www.alaskafarmersmarkets.org/alaska-farmland-trust-covid19-infographics-for-markets/
Agriculture Workers and Employers Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor (6/12/20)
Who this guidance is for: All agriculture workers and their employers.
Farm operations vary across regions of the country. This guidance provides a template of action to protect agriculture workers from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Agricultural employers can adapt these recommendations to protect workers at their particular work sites or in specific work operations.
Purpose: Agriculture work sites, shared worker housing, and shared worker transportation vehicles present unique challenges for preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Consistent application of specific preparation, prevention, and management measures can help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Workers on farms, ranches, and other production agriculture work sites are considered critical infrastructure workers within the Food and Agriculture Sector. All agriculture work sites should follow, as feasible, relevant aspects of CDC guidance, including but not limited to this document, CDC’s Critical Infrastructure Guidance, and guidance from regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration, as needed. Additionally, they should work directly with appropriate state and local public health officials and occupational safety and health professionals.
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about COVID-19. CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the CDC COVID-19 website periodically for updated guidance.
We are gathering resources from around the country to keep you informed on Covid-19 farmers market issues.
State of Alaska Updates:
- Anchorage Health Department Guidelines for Farmers Markets during COVID-19 Pandemic (5/8/20 updated)
- Anchorage Health Department Guidelines for Temporary, Mobile, and Food Truck Events during COVID-19 Pandemic (updated 5/8/20)
- Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order (updated 5/8/20)
- 6. Food and Agriculture, including grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, animal/pet food and supply stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of food, beverages, and other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries but also sell other non-grocery products. Food and agriculture, cultivation, including farming, livestock, fishing and processing. This includes manufacturers and suppliers of food and items necessary to support of the Food and Agriculture industry.
- a. This includes farmers markets where vendors sell directly to consumers only agricultural products, food items, soaps, and sanitizers
- 6. Food and Agriculture, including grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, animal/pet food and supply stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of food, beverages, and other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries but also sell other non-grocery products. Food and agriculture, cultivation, including farming, livestock, fishing and processing. This includes manufacturers and suppliers of food and items necessary to support of the Food and Agriculture industry.
DHSS - COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR FARMERS MARKETS
Under the Governor's Health Mandates restricting food establishments from serving food or beverages to dine-in customers, farmers markets, like grocery stores and supermarkets, are considered "essential businesses.” To help market operators adapt to this rapidly changing economic and public health situation, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Alaska Farmers Market Association have compiled information and recommendations from farmers markets, state associations, health departments and the Centers for Disease Control.
Quick References:
- Vermont Farmers Market Legal Toolkit PDF (Jan 2021)
- Homer Farmers Market COVID19 Procedure Plan (July 2020)
- Friday Fling (Palmer) COVID19 Vendor Agreement (July 2020)
- Pike’s Place De-escalation Training (July 2020)
- Several Alaskan Distilleries are currently producing it locally. Check out our database for all the deets!
- PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS – (outlining some frequently asked questions on the PPP was specifically added for farmers) – 4/24/20 updated
- Post-Harvest Handling (Chesapeake Harvest) presentation & YouTube recording
- Handwashing Stations for Vendors – Step by Step How to by Minnesota Farmers Market Association
- This Farmers Market Safe Operations video addresses issues, potential hazards, and practical solutions for farmers market, swap meet, and produce vehicle operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarded as an essential business, farmers markets provide a necessary link between fresh agricultural food products and consumers but face operational challenges during COVID-19
- Online Sales Platforms for Markets and Farmstands from the Young Farmers Coalition Guide
- Recording of How to Create a Free Online Store for your Farm Webinar– from the North Carolina State Cooperative Extension Local Food Program
- Online Sales Platforms for Farmers (March 23, 2020)- from Oregon Tilth
- Online Order Platforms for Markets and Farmstands, AFMA Community Chat, 5/21/20
STAY TUNED!
We are working to produce signage, customer outreach materials, vendor trainings, and more! Link to this pdf: https://dec.alaska.gov/media/20398/covid-19-farmers-markets.pdf
Check out the Washington State Farmers Markets' Awesome Resource and Information:
CLICK LOGO to view COVID-19 Guidance for WSFMA Farmers Markets
National guidance from FMC, responses from around the country
CLICK LOGO to view: Farmers Markets Respond to COVID-19 — Daily Updates and Announcements
California Alliance of Farmers Markets
2020 COVID19 - Farmers' Market Response and Best Practices (updated regularly)
Ohio Farmers Market Network
COVID-19 and Your Farmers Markets (March 2020)
Michigan Farmers Market Association
COVID-19 Guidance from Michigan Farmers Market Association; To assist our members in responding to this evolving situation, we are releasing the following resources: -Guidelines and recommendations for Farmers Markets to modify their operations -Tips for sanitizing SNAP tokens -Signage that can be posted to reinforce CDC recommended behaviors in public settings -Information on documenting essential workers during transit to and from the farmers market -How to Set Up a Handwashing Station
CALIFORNIA FARMERS' MARKETS ASSOCIATION
COVID-19 updates
Maine Federation of Farmers Markets
COVID-19 and Farmers’ Markets: signage, best practices, and more resources
What can go viral faster than COVID-19?
Your favorite meme or image. Messaging matters when it comes to flattening the curve and helping to keep your family, friends and neighbors safe and healthy. Share these free materials on your digital channels, and encourage others to spread the message, not the coronavirus!
TENT TALK PODCAST
Episode 80: Managing markets in the time of coronavirus