Archive for May 2020
Where Government Aid Falls Short, Grassroots Fund Helps Family Farms
Second round of grants to 36 farmers totals $90,000 Davis, CA – Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) announced the second round of emergency assistance grants to California farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic earlier today. Despite the release of
New FDA Guidance on FSMA Qualified Exempt Requirements During Covid
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released temporary guidance on the requirements that farms must meet to be considered qualified exempt under the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This is important for small farms to be aware of
COVID-19 Sparks a Rebirth of the Local Farm Movement
Yes! Magazine – When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the future of the Cannard Family Farm—whose organic vegetables supplied a single Berkeley restaurant—was looking stark. Ross Cannard is the son of an iconic leader in the local organic movement in California.
USDA’s COVID-19 Farmer Relief Will Leave Out Farmers Most Impacted by Crisis
Thousands of Farmers and Ranchers Working to Feed their Communities Will Not be Fairly Compensated for Losses
CAFF JOB: Central Valley Farm to Market Specialist
Job Title: Farm to Market Specialist Location: Operates statewide with focus on Central Valley, preferably based near Fresno FTE: 1.0 FTE, Starting Salary: $50,000-$55,000 FLSA: Non-Exempt Reports To: Farm to Market Program Director Start Date: Early July The
Federal Aid for Farmers: Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Yesterday the White House announced that farmers may begin applying for direct payments as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office starting May 26. Announced last month by the Secretary of
Reconnecting Markets, Feeding Communities
RECONNECTING MARKETS, FEEDING COMMUNITIES Food System Supply & Demand during COVID-19 Are you seeking new markets and new customers during the COVID-19 crisis? Have you lost sales outlets? Do you want to sell into a programs that are helping feed
Plataformas de software de venta directa
Mientras mercados, restaurantes, y otros canales de distribución de comida cierran o reducen operaciones para prevenir el contagio de COVID-19, granjas en todo el país han expresado interés en usar plataformas de software que apoyen las ventas directas para consumidores
Fund Supports Family Farmers Falling Through the Cracks of COVID-19 Crisis
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) announced the first round emergency assistance grants to California farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic earlier today. Most of the growers haven’t or are unlikely to receive other forms of assistance, falling through the
Take Steps Now to Prepare for Coronavirus Assistance
Since the COVID-19 crisis hit, CAFF has been working hard with our allies at the state and national levels, urging our government to not only provide relief for the agricultural industry, but to make sure these funds reach family farms, smaller-scale businesses,
Guidance for Farm Direct Sales & U-Pick during COVID-19
The following is intended to help guide agriculture entities that engage in Farm Direct Sales (farm store or farm stand) and support farm visit activities, such as Pick-YourOwn (PYO). Farm Direct Sales and PYO are important revenue streams for many
As Food Supply Chain Breaks Down, Farm-To-Door CSAs Take Off
NPR – Images of some American farmers dumping milk, plowing under crops and tossing perishables amid sagging demand and falling prices during the deadly coronavirus pandemic has made for dramatic TV.
Urging Congress to Protect Organic Food & Ag During Pandemic
As a member of the Organic Farmers Alliance in D.C., CAFF joined in urging congress to include provisions in the next coronavirus relief package to help organic farmers, farmworkers, retailers, certifiers, and other businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all
Without Restaurants Sales, Local Farms Face Tough Decisions
KQED – The COVID-19 pandemic hit just as farms had to make decisions about how much to plant. Spring is the time of year farmers plant for the summer and fall season, but it’s uncertain what the market will look
Community Grazing
Build resilience by transforming our wildland-urban-interface from neighborhoods into communities with grazing ruminants while increasing each community’s ability to withstand wildfire and drought by grazing livestock across property lines.
CAFF’s Sonoma County Farm VIP Farm Tour
CAFF’s Sonoma County chapter hosts it’s annual VIP Farm Tour (this year virtually), inviting policymakers, agency representatives and other community leaders to visit farms, learn about their operations and discuss policies that can support them, promote ecological agriculture and strengthen
EIDL Disaster Loan Applications Now Open to Farms
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic
USDA Announces Additional Food Purchase Plans
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, in addition to purchases previously announced, which will enable USDA to purchase surplus
State Program Puts Food Industry Back to Work, Sources from Local Farms to Feed Seniors in Need
Last week, Governor Newsom announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation “Great Plates Delivered” program, a state-funded meal delivery service with two goals: 1) help seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 stay home and stay healthy by delivering
How To Be A Good Farmers Market Customer
To assure our farmers markets stay open, accessible and safe for everyone, it’s gonna take everyone doing their part on both sides of the booth.
Farm to Family Program
$2 million in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funding for CAFB to support harvesting, packing and shipping of donated specialty crop products. In addition, the state Department of Social Services has more than $860,000 in USDA Farm to Food Bank