06-08-20 CFVGA REMINDER: Call-in for CDC’s New COVID-19 Guidance for Agriculture, June 9, 11:30 am MT

June 8, 2020 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will host a stakeholder call to discuss produce food safety issues, food supply questions, and Centers for Disease Control’s new COVID-19 Guidance for Agriculture.

Western Growers members, which includes all CFVGA grower & allied members, are encouraged to attend to learn more about the Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employers recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Speakers will include:

• Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner, FDA Office of Food Policy and Response

• Jennifer Lincoln, Associate Director, CDC/NIOSH Office of Agriculture Safety and Health

• Mark Moorman, Director, Office of Food Safety, FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

• Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor regarding Agriculture Workers & Employers

• Temporary Policy During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Regarding the Qualified Exemption from the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption

• Voluntary Reporting of Temporary Closures or Requesting Assistance for FDA-Regulated Food Establishments During COVID-19 Pandemic

• FDA and USDA Release Recommendations for those in the Food and Agriculture Sector Experiencing Shortages of PPE, Cloth Face Coverings, Disinfectants, and Sanitation Supplies

The CFVGA is comprised of more than 250 members, including growers of all sizes and types of production throughout the state, as well as representatives of allied industries. The Colorado fruit and vegetable growing sector contributes nearly $485 million to Colorado at the farm gate and is multiplied as it goes through the distribution chain. Over 90,000 Colorado acres are in fruit and vegetable production.