COVID-19 Resources from CEFS and Partners

Resources for Farmers and Farmworkers

• Essential Food and Agriculture Employee documentation (English and Spanish) from NCDA&CS for farmers and others to carry with them during necessary work activities and travel
• COVID-19 FAQ for U-Pick Farms – NC State Extension
• Guidance Document for SNAP Authorized Retailers in North Carolina
• COVID-19 Resources for Farmers and Farmworkers (Migrant, Seasonal and H2A) – NC State Extension
• COVID-19 Videos for Spanish-Speaking Farm Community – NC State Extension Farmworker Health and Safety Education Program
• Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms – Cornell University
• NCDHHS Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers and their Employers
• Resources on Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 – National Center for Farmworker Health
• COVID-19 and Farmworkers webinar slides – North Carolina Farmworker Health Program
  • Text COVIDNC to the following number: 898211 to receive updates for farmworkers in English or Spanish
• COVID-19: Farming Resources – NC State Extension
• What Fruit and Vegetable Growers Should Know About COVID-19 – NC State University
• Interactive map with all low-cost and emergency offers from internet service providers in NC – NC Broadband Infrastructure Office (BIO), NC Department of Information Technology
• N.C. Agritourism Economic Impact & Farm Outlook Survey – NCDA is surveying farms with agritourism business models. They want to see the effect of COVID-19 on the agritourism industry.
• CARES Act for Farmers Part II: the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) – NC State Extension
• Webinar on Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Understanding Disinfection for Fresh Produce Growers – NC Fresh Produce Safety
• Sales options: 
  • MeatSuite – Online tool for selling locally produced meats in bulk – NC Choices
  • Summary/comparison of online sales platforms for direct to consumer sales – NC Cooperative Extension Local Food Program
  • New weekly service for NC growers to sell produce for distribution to major retailers – NCDA&CS
  • Alternative Sales Options for Direct to Market Farmers – RAFI-USA
  • Farmers’ Guide to Direct Sales Software Platforms – Overview of selected products that are farm-specific sales platforms supporting single-fam, direct sales.
  • Webinar on Creating an Online Farm Store – NC State Extension Growing Small Farms
  • Webinar on E-Commerce During COVID-19 – Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • E-Commerce During COVID-19: Opportunities for Food Producers to Make Direct Market Sales Online
  • Adding Value to Local Foods – General guidance for further processing produce, fruits and meats to make prepared appetizers and meals: NC State Extension
• Funding opportunities:

• • Farming During COVID: Detailed instructions to help farmers apply for funding released by government agencies – The Action Network
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance – (Effective 5.4.20) – SBA is now offering an “agriculture-only” application window. This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief and does not have to be repaid.
  • USDA FSA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – applications due by August 28, 2020 – updated list of eligible commodities
  • USDA FSA Farm Loans – FSA offers farm ownership and farm operating loans to agricultural producers who may not find success obtaining loans from their traditional financial institutions because of COVID-19. Farmers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for FSA direct or guaranteed loans.
  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – COVID-19 Relief Funds Available to Farmers Starting April 3, 2020 (Updated 4/24/2020 regarding additional funding)
  • Inquiry Form for Emergency Mini-Grants for Farmers Impacted by COVID-19 – RAFI-USA
  • Farmer Relief Fund – American Farmland Trust
    • Applications are closed but still calling for donations
  • NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program (a new emergency small business lending program in response to the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 on North Carolina’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners) – The Rural Center, in partnership with the Golden LEAF Foundation, Thread Capital, and other nonprofit lenders throughout the state
  • Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) mini-grant program for livestock and poultry producers
  • COVID-19 Grants – Truist – Natural Capital Investment Fund (closed but sign up for their newsletter to learn about other opportunities as they become available)
  • USDA Announces Second Application Window for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Funding | USDA
  • COVID-19 Response and Recovery Funds – Working list of funds available to farmers developed by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders

Resources for Farmers Markets

• Listserv for Farmers Market Managers in North Carolina (active discussion/strategizing around COVID-19) – To subscribe, please email Amber Polk at amber_polk@ncsu.edu.
• COVID-19 FAQ for Farmers Markets – NC State Extension
• COVID-19 Guidelines and Operational Practices for Farmers Market – Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
• Farmers Market Procedure Updates and Examples for COVID-19 Crisis – Farmers Market Coalition
• Guide for Building a Handwashing Station – NC State Extension
• Local Farmers’ Markets Do Their Part to Flatten the Curve on Coronavirus – Debbie Roos, Extension Agent, Chatham County, NC
• FAQ Regarding NC Executive Order No. 117
• Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (deadline extended to 5/26/2020) – a competitive grants program to fund direct-to-consumer marketing strategies or support for local and regional food business enterprises acting as intermediaries between producers and consumers
• Sample Farmers Market Message about COVID-19 Procedures and New Guidelines (Updated 4/1/2020) – NC Cooperative Extension, Nash County Center
• Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) for Executive Order No. 131 (Effective Monday, April 13, 5 PM)
• CFSA Advocacy Toolkit to keep farmers markets open as essential businesses
• Suggestions for SNAP/EBT payments during COVID-19 – Virginia Farmers Market Association

Resources for Restaurants and Other Food Businesses

• NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program (a new emergency small business lending program in response to the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 on North Carolina’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners) – The Rural Center, in partnership with the Golden LEAF Foundation, Thread Capital, and other nonprofit lenders throughout the state
• NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund – Apply for funds if you work in the hospitality industry and you’re struggling during this crisis.
• Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
• Guidance for Industry: Temporary Policy Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (link to full March 26, 2020 update)
• Need to Know: COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits for the Self-Employed – NC State University
• Steps to take if employee or customer tests positive for COVID-19 – Food Industry Recommended Protocols COVID-19

Resources for Consumers

• MeatSuite – Online tool for finding locally produced meats in bulk – NC Choices
  • Learn more about MeatSuite
• NC 10% Campaign – Online tool for finding local food in North Carolina
• LocalHarvest.org – Nationwide tool for finding farmers near you
• How to Buy Local While Social Distancing: On-Farm Pickups & More (including Google map for finding farms in North Carolina and South Carolina) – Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
• Rivendell Farm’s COVID-19 Farms & Farmers Markets (Charlotte area)
• LocalListNC (Triangle)
• ASAP’s Local Food Guide (NC Mountains)
• Tips for Shopping at Farmers Markets Amidst COVID-19 – NC State Extension
• Food Safety Best Practices for Home, Community, and Retail Food Environments and Farms (English and Spanish); update 4.6.2020– NC State Extension
• “Local Food in the Time of Coronavirus” – NC State Extension Local Food Program
• Firsthand Foods Community Fund – Effort to raise $8,000 in 60 days to donate meat to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC
• RallyforRestaurants.com – Buy gift cards from local restaurants and challenge your friends to join and share #RallyforRestaurants
• NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund – Support NC restaurant workers
• Connect with local farms using the Visit NC Farm App and arrange for curbside pickup or delivery of seasonal products
• COVID-19 FAQ for Community Gardens – NC State Extension

Processors and Supply Chain Resources

• Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network COVID-19 Resources
• American Association of Meat Processors COVID-19 Page
• North Carolina Rapid Recovery for Small Businesses
• Interim COVID-19 Recommendations for N.C. Food Processing Facilities – shared by NC State Extension
• USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes – Federal program to purchase and distribute mixed food boxes. Request proposal – FAQs
• SNAP Online purchasing  – How to vendors and retailers can sign up for the online program

Meals for those with Limited Food Access

• Meals for Kids in North Carolina During COVID-19 School Closures – No Kid Hungry North Carolina, UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Schools of North Carolina
• Text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. En español COMIDA to 877-877
• Find a Food Bank agency near you if you are in need of food and Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC COVID-19 Response
• Find Your Local Food Bank (nationwide) – Feeding America
• Farmers to Families Food Box Program FAQ – USDA
• Food access resources for the Charlotte area – Rivendell Farms of the Carolinas in partnership with KK&P.
• Status of USDA Food and Nutrition Service waivers for NC and nationwide updates

Farm to Early Care and Education/Farm to School

• Coronavirus Resources and Information for Educators – learning resources, pandemic checklist, managing risk, etc.
• Farm to School Network Resources – child nutrition programs, ECE resources, funding support, local producer resources, and much more.
• Bracing for COVID-19: What Early Childhood Programs Need to Know and Consider – recorded webinar highlighting tips for navigating the impact of COVID-19 on childcare centers.
• Home-Based Child Care Emergency Fund Toolkit– Resources for home-based childcare centers to connect with funders and providers to take action.
• Grab, Adapt and Go – COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Programs– sample letters for notifying families and staff of policy changes/ closures, infectious disease plan
• Paying Yourself, Your Staff, Your Bills: Helping Child Care Programs Understand and Navigate SBA loans–  support for increased understanding of SBA loans for child care programs.