May 26, 2020
As warmer weather approaches, so does Michigan’s U-pick season. Farm operations across the state are working so they can safely open and operate in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has outlined key protocols U-pick operations should be implementing to protect themselves and their customers.
“Michigan is home to a wide array of delicious products, and these farms play a critical role in our food supply chain,” says Gary McDowell, MDARD director. “As we head into the 2020 growing season and early harvest for some commodities, U-pick operators will need to follow specific guidance such as social distancing in the retail and field areas, using masks and taking the necessary steps to protect public health."
Related: Complete coronavirus coverage
Here a couple of key items to note, with the full list available online:
Develop a plan. Operators must develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan and make it readily available to employees and customers, train employees and supervise implementation.
Screen staff. U-pick operations must screen staff daily for symptoms, and those with symptoms should not be permitted to work until they subside.
Provide PPE. Operations will need to provide and require the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, face shields and face coverings as appropriate for the activity being performed.
Limit interaction. Limit in-person interaction with clients and patrons to the maximum extent possible, and bar any such interaction in which people cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from one another.
Space out. Customers must take steps to maintain social distancing in sale and retail areas and in fields. Spacing out guests in U-pick areas is critical to the safety of all guests. A minimum of 6 feet between guests must always be maintained. This also means avoiding crowds waiting to enter sales or field areas and providing for 6 feet between each guest standing in lines.
Family units should stay together and 6 feet apart from others. Customers should only be accompanied with family members and should limit the numbers in their groups.
All provisions of Michigan's executive orders and more information and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found here.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at michigan.gov/coronavirus and cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Source: MDARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.
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