March 31, 2020

United Fresh has announced that the Board of Directors have made the decision to move from an in-person event in San Diego this June to United Fresh LIVE! – an online expo. Read more.

 

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 30th, fresh produce groups urged the USDA to take action regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and develop a market stabilization plan for the industry.
Read more. 

March 30, 2020

Tom Stenzel of United Fresh Produce Association discusses steps the industry has taken since the pandemic has started and the path we will have to take forward. Watch here.

 

 

Instacart shoppers threaten to walk off the job on Monday due to inadequate measures to protect them from COVID-19. Read more. 

March 28, 2020

View this visual guide on the economic impact of the Coronavirus globally. Frozen concentrate orange juice is the best performing commodity. See more.  

March 27, 2020

Survey shows increase in online grocery shopping for pick-up and delivery services. Read more. 

 

Apple releases virtual Coronavirus screening website in conjunction with the CDC (Center for Disease Control) to allow those who think they might be sick to figure out what to do next. Visit here. 

 

Department of State to waive H-2A interview requirements to help reduce delays in the processing of workers visas. Read more. 

March 26, 2020

Albertsons partners with businesses to employ 30,000 furloughed employees. Read more.

March 24, 2020

Even amid the Coronavirus, retail stores are showing increased purchases in fresh produce. Read more. 

March 23, 2020

United Fresh announces letter to congress and USDA asking for immediate action to “mitigate the challenges facing the sectors that have been impacted most severely as a result of the National Emergency concerning the Coronavirus outbreak.” Read more. 

Produce shipments globally are unaffected by closed borders and strict no travel rules, says customs broker Pat Compres of Advance Customs Brokers. Food and produce remain priority products and people in agriculture are still permitted to work, pick, pack, and ship. Read more about the Packer’s Interview here.

CPMA (Canadaian Produce Marketing Association cancels 2020 Convention and Trade Show. Read more. 

March 20, 2020  

A United Fresh Member Alert went out this afternoon stating that “with the uncertainty of the effects of COVID-19 companies selling produce should not extend payment terms past 30 days, thereby waiving protections under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Trust (PACA).”  Read more. 

 

 

Yesterday, a group of more than 40 Members of Congress to wrote to Secretary Pompeo about the Department of State’s decision to suspend routine nonimmigrant processing in Mexico. The group of representatives pleaded to Secretary Pompeo that this decision will “disastrous effect on U.S. agriculture, further endangering our nation’s food supply in this time of national crisis.” Read more here.

  

Governor Newsom has issued a “Safer at Home” order for ALL nonessential businesses to close in LA County. Businesses that provide essential services are not included in this order. For example, grocery stores, food cultivation, farming, livestock and fish are all still required to remain open.

Read more about the Governor’s Order here. 

FAQs about the “Safer at Home” Order. 

March 19, 2020 

 Raley’s is giving out “Senior Essentials Bags” for $20 which provides fresh items and pantry samples starting on March 21st. Read more.    

March 18, 2020 

U.S. is suspending H-2A interviews from new applicants in Mexico to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This could mean that farmers in the U.S. who use the H-2A guest worker program could soon see delays in the process and approval of those workers. Last year the U.S. had the biggest number of guest workers for farm work ever at 200,000 workers. Read more.

 

Chilean fruits aren’t seeing any changes in their demand after reports of panic-buying are staying consistent. Read more.  

 March 17, 2020  

The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) announced that they would cancel the 2020 Viva Fresh Expo due to the increased concern for the health and safety of exhibitors and attendees. TIPA announced the 2021 Viva Fresh Expo is scheduled for March 23-28, 2021. Read more.  

March 16, 2020  

Concerns over field workers and their safety and willingness to report being sick was an important topic at an emergency meeting in North Carolina held by a group of organizations that serve seasonal and migrant workers. Read more.

 

 

The Big Idaho Potato Truck tour has temporarily been suspended amid concerns over Coronavirus. Read about their decision here.

 

9 Bay Area Counties will be ordered to ‘shelter in place’ on Monday afternoon by public health officials to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Read more.

The Coronavirus is effecting imports, causing a decline in consumption of mushrooms and rising fruit costs in different parts of the world. Read more about the global impact here.  

 March 13, 2020  

Produce for Better Health has made the proactive decision to put the health and well-being of its supporters at the highest priority and cancel the Consumer Connection Conference originally scheduled for April 13-16, 2020. Read more…

 

 

The Natural Products EXPO West 2020 has decided that due to uncertainity and developing circumstances around the Coronavirus (COVID-19), they will not move forward with rescheduling the Natural Products Expo West event in Anaheim in 2020. Read more.

 

The Sonora Spring Summit that was set to take place next Thursday, March 19th, 2020 has been postponed due to Coronavirus concerns. The outlook of the Mexican Grape crop report that was the main focus of the programming, will still proceed via live broadcasting on their YouTube channel. Read more.

 

According to The Packer, more than 40% of shoppers are reporting that they have changed their produce purchases to buying more frozen fruits and veggies due to the Coronavirus. Learn more about their survey, here. 

  

March 12, 2020  

PMA (Produce Marketing Association) makes the decision to postpone Fresh Connections Retail, Women’s Fresh Perspectives amidst growing concerns over the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). In an email to membership on Thursday, PMA postponed all PMA and Center for Growing Talent event through May 1. Read more about their decision here.   

March 11, 2020  

The Texas International Produce Association announced it is postponing or cancelling its annual Viva Fresh Expo, originally scheduled for April 29-May 2.