On the heels of well-publicized COVID-19 outbreaks in meat-packing facilities across the country, there have been an increasing number of outbreaks on U.S. produce farms. To minimize the risks of disruption to our critical workforce, the CDC and Department of Labor recently released interim guidance for agriculture workers and employers.

But how does this guidance apply specifically to the fresh produce industry? What additional practical steps can fresh produce companies take to implement this guidance on the farm or in the facility? How are other fresh produce companies implementing this guidance in their operations?

To help answer these questions and more, Western Growers has teamed up with leading experts from UC Davis, Rutgers University and Colorado State University to conduct a COVID-19 webinar series. Each webinar in the three-part series will break down a different element of the interim guidance for fresh produce operations, and the experts will be available at the end of each webinar to field your questions. Be sure to register and attend them all.

Click here to register for Part 1: Basics of COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plans.

Part 1: Basics of COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plans

Date:                June 26

Time:                11:00 a.m. PT

Speakers

• Sonia Salas, Assistant VP, Food Safety, Science & Technology, Western Growers
• Heather Riden, Program Director, Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, UC Davis
• Don Schaffner, Ph. D., Extension Specialist, Food Science, Rutgers University

Content

• Introduction, CDC guidance and current news/issues
• What do we know about COVID-19 now? What key risk factors affect the fresh produce industry?
• What is a COVID-19 assessment and control plan? How do you develop one in the fresh produce industry?
• Screening and monitoring workers: What should you know?
• What do you do if a worker has, or has been exposed to, COVID-19?

Click here to register for Part 1: Basics of COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plans.

Part 2: Assessment and Control Plans: Do’s and Don’ts

Date:                June 30

Time:                9:00 a.m. PT

Speakers

• Ken Cooper, Director, Risk Strategy, Western Growers Insurance Services
• Whitney Pennigton, Outreach Coordinator, High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, Colorado State Universitry
• Martha Sullins, Extension Specialist, Colorado State University

Content

• Hierarchy of Controls Approach
• Engineering Controls
• Cleaning and Sanitizing
• Administrative Controls
• Personal Protective Equipment

Part 3: Shared Housing and Transportation

Date:                July 9

Time:                TBD

Speakers

• Jason Resnick, Vice President/General Counsel, Western Growers

Content

• CDC Recommendations
• Fresh Produce Industry Challenges and Resources
• H-2A Worker Considerations

Register now for Part 1: Basics of COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plans