With what is going on with the global coronavirus pandemic, I thought now would be an opportune time to reach out to everyone in Dukes Farm’s orbit with some initial thoughts on the 2020 farm season. This is certainly an unexpected situation, so these are not final thoughts on the matter. If you have any thoughts to share, please feel free to reach out (email: info@lakesuperiorfarms.com).
Food Safety & Security
Now is a good time to highlight our pre-existing food safety regimen at the farm. We have been certified, through the State of Michigan, for on farm food safety, and we take it seriously. We regularly keep our packing area, packing materials, and delivery vehicle clean and sanitized and require all workers to comply with our food safety and hygiene system. We also use biodegradable produce bin liners for our CSAs and other boxed deliveries, which adds an additional crucial layer of safety. Luckily, we are a small farm, which means we do not have a complicated supply chain to worry about, and can get people food with as few steps as possible, and as quickly as possible.
For 2020 all of these efforts will obviously continue and we will expand on them. While in the past we allowed for reuse of the green produce liners, this year we must use new ones for each box (you can just reuse the produce liner for your own purposes). And all applicable surfaces will be sanitized regularly with food safe sanitizers known to kill coronaviruses and listed as such by the EPA and CDC. We have always taken food safety seriously, so rest assured that we will be doing what is needed.
Fortunately, the safest way to procure food during this pandemic is by delivery, which is what we do. So long as we have fuel for our delivery vehicle we will be able to continue to provide our nutrient dense food to everyone who wants it. You will be able to purchase food through us for delivery by signing up for a CSA or specialty box (such as a pickle or pesto box), through our online shop, or at local grocers like the Marquette Food Co-op.
What you can do right now
- First off: don’t panic. We can get through this together. Let us use this crisis as an opportunity to build stronger communities and social relations with one another, even if it has to be in small groups or virtual for a while. We will need it for ongoing community health, and to be better prepared for the next crisis.
- Stay informed so that you, your family and community are safe. You can get updates on the coronavirus pandemic through Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the CDC and other places. Many news outlets are also offering free news related to the pandemic. And make sure to question what you read on social media; as with anything, there is a lot of disinformation out there.
- If you can afford to, please send in any down payments for CSAs or any other products. This allows us to ensure the continued regular operation of the farm, and accommodate for unexpected expenses we will have as a result of the pandemic. If you cannot afford to keep up on payments (due to widespread economic discord and/or loss of work), please don’t let that keep you from getting a CSA or other products from us. We will be very accommodating this season. Even if you think you might not be able to pay until well into the season, at the end of the season, or even later, we will do everything we can to work with you. We don’t have money either, but we will make it work.
- If you have the means, you can help us offer fresh food to people who may not be able to access it. Contact us if you would like to do something like this.
- When the season starts, help us to be sanitary. We are all in this together. Please clean (and disinfect, if possible) any CSA bins you have and make sure they are dry before we pick them up. We will be doing this, too, but it certainly will not hurt to sanitize and keep things clean multiple times.
- If there is a way that you may be able to help with food delivery or any other complications with food production and distribution that may arise, please offer a helping hand. I am assuming that a lot of volunteer work will be needed especially in areas such as food production/distribution and healthcare.
We are all in this together and need to act as a community. This could be an opportunity to get that community ethos back that we have steadily lost over the last few decades. We need that kind of cooperation now, and to help us meet challenges in the future.
Be safe and healthy out there!
Sincerely,
Gabriel & the Dukes Farm crew
