We're All In This Together - Grower-Shipper Association

The following opinion piece about worker protection protocols in place during the COVID 19 pandemic was authored by Chris Valadez, President, Grower Shipper Association of the Central Coast and appeared in the
Monterey Herald on April 8.

Guest Commentary: All Ag Parties Agree They Are In This Together

Yes, we are all in this together. Farmers and farm workers are working together side-by-side to ensure that a steady and consistent supply of fruits and vegetables reach American’s tables. Following the announcement of the Monterey County shelter-in-place order, the farming community and Monterey County officials immediately recognized the need and our responsibility to protect farmworkers as they continue to grow, nurture and harvest the crops while under such a directive.

The result is the development of new on-farm protocols to protect farmworkers which were released and distributed throughout the Monterey County farming community on March 20. These were recently updated this week with new provisions, which include protocols for employee housing, transportation, and facial coverings. Some examples of on-farm protocols include:

Increased hand washing and hand sanitizing along with renewed handwashing training specific to the COVID 19 virus. (California already has among the most stringent standards in the nation regarding field sanitation and handwashing facility requirements)
Increased cleaning and sanitizing of all field facilities and high traffic areas throughout the workday.
Implementation of and emphasis on social distancing when in the fields and during transportation to the fields.
Implementation and emphasis on wearing face coverings while working in fields, orchards and vineyards. (Many farmworkers already use face coverings to protect themselves from the dust and sun.)
Training of employees on COVID 19 prevention when at home and work.
Awareness and attention to employees that fall into “at-risk” categories, including age and underlying health conditions.
Monitoring of work crews and steps to be taken if an employee is ill and/or tests positive for COVID 19 that protects both the affected worker and his/her co-workers.
Protocols for employee housing include training for workers upon arrival about preventative steps and social distancing, the identification of protective practices such as enhanced sanitizing and cleaning of worker housing, and regular and consistent contact with farm employees to ensure housing is safe, clean and comfortable and any farmworker concerns are effectively addressed.
These protocols are a joint effort between the County of Monterey, Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, California Strawberry Commission, Coastal Growers Association, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Monterey County Farm Bureau, and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association.
The Monterey County protocols are similar to the guidance CAL-OSHA issued for agricultural employees on April 4, however, these county protocols are more crop-specific and take into account the unique harvesting needs of our regional commodities.

While the health and safety of farmworkers must be our primary concern, any proposals for new, unfunded mandates must be carefully contemplated. Like many businesses in our communities, there is substantial economic uncertainty associated with farming during this unprecedented worldwide pandemic. The foodservice market has, and is expected to continue to decline. The retail sector, while initially producing a bump, has leveled off with some data revealing declining sales for fresh produce and other products. This has resulted in the termination of contracts for many farmers, shippers and processors, and the potential to place some operations at risk of economic jeopardy.

These new protocols are part of a diligent effort to proactively identify solutions, enhance existing systems and create new ones.” On-farm changes and evolutions are happening daily as everyone understands more and shares what is learned with each other. These protocols will be ever-changing, not evergreen. Like all “essential” businesses, the farming community understands the critical care farmers and farm workers must take to ensure their health and safety as they continue to go to work each day to grow the nation’s food.

Many of the employers we work with are also focused on identifying secure spaces in our region where any ill workers could be quickly separated from their housemates and work crews to recuperate and contain any illness.

As part of this agricultural supply chain community, we witness every day that “we are all in this together.” Farmers, processors, distribution centers, retailers, and all employees involved in creating, handling and delivering food are rising to address the daily challenges presented by this pandemic. Because of them, we will all continue to have a fresh and consistent food supply during a period in our society that is reminding us that the many goods we may take for granted are the product of hard work and unseen logistical feats they make happen each and every day.