Major grocery chains are seeingsharp increases in salesthis week as households stock up and prepare to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Photos of empty shelves in stores across the country have even promptedwarnings against hoardingand reminders to shop responsibly.
但除了the walls of the nation’s big box stores, other vital facets of the food system are faring far worse. Among them are the local and regional markets that allow farmers to sell directly to consumers or to restaurants, schools, and other institutions.成千上万的农民和食品生产商ly on these markets to make a living, but as US confirmed cases of COVID-19 surpass 10,000 and states move forward with necessary public health protections such asschool closuresand“shelter in place” policies, these markets are taking an enormous hit.
While the Trump administration prioritizesbailouts for airlines and other big businesses, it’s an imperative to support the family farms that put food on our plates. That’s why groups representing farmers andfarmers marketsnationwide are telling Congress they need to beincluded in the next federal aid package—and they’ve got the numbers to prove it.
In the meantime, state and local governments also need to recognize that farmers markets provide essential public services, or they’ll risk breaking the backbone of their local food economies by the time this crisis is over.
As markets shrink, how much do farmers and ranchers stand to lose?
According to a recenteconomic impact assessment, farmers and ranchers could lose as much as $690 million in sales in key local and regional markets, including farmers markets, restaurants, schools and universities, during the next three months. This would lead to an estimated $100 million less paid out on employee payrolls and a total loss of $1.32 billion to the economy.
And that’s only for the next three months. If the economic effects of the coronavirus extend into the summer months, the peak season for many farmers markets, estimated losses could increase considerably.
Putting farmers and food producers first in the next federal aid package
This week, President Trump signed legislation for afederal aid packagethat includes additional funding for nutrition programs serving low-income children, families, and seniors, expands paid family and sick leave for workers at certain companies, and improves accessibility of coronavirus testing.
Now, Congress is turning its attention to astimulus packagethat might provide more direct financial support to families and small businesses—and it’s critical for the future of our food system that they get it right. Specifically, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition—a national alliance representing more than 100 grassroots food and farm organizations and allies—iscalling on Congressto help sustain demand for farm products in markets that have been disrupted, such as sales to schools and universities; provide direct financial assistance to affected producers, supply chain businesses, food system workers, and food establishments; and offer more administrative flexibility for existing farm and food system programs. These supports will be particularly important for beginning farmers and farmers of color.
Organizations like theFood Chain Workers AllianceandRestaurant Opportunities Center Unitedhave also underscored the need for health and safety protections, including paid sick leave and healthcare coverage, for workers throughout food production, distribution, and retail—without whom the food system ceases to function.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, like this one pictured from Huerta del Valle, provide a valuable source of income for many small farms.
Meanwhile, more states say farmers markets are essential services for eaters
In the absence of a comprehensive coronavirus response from the federal government, state and local governments have begun to take matters into their own hands to protect public health. This has included school closures and“shelter in place” orders, which require residents to stay at home except for essential activities such as visits to the doctor and trips to the grocery store. But while experts agreesuch actions are neededto prevent the spread of the virus, state and local policies are inconsistent on what activities are considered essential—and farmer’s markets have beencaught in the crosshairs.
For example, in Seattle, whichsuspended all large gatheringsto control the regional outbreak, farmers markets were treated similarly to parades and public gatherings and were closed down.
Butmany arguethat farmers markets can serve as critical food access points during emergencies, and should be recognized by state and federal governments as essential public infrastructure, much like other services that meet public needs for food, water, waste, and transportation. In recent days, states such as Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have allissued statementscharacterizing farmers markets as essential services.
“There isn’t evidence that COVID-19 transmission risk would differ at a grocery store versus a farmers market,” per Roland McReynolds, Executive Director of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. “Shutting down farmers markets, unless the jurisdiction is also shutting down Walmart, isn’t justified.”
If you can, there are more ways to support local farmers this weekend
TheNational Farmers Market Coalitionhas mobilized to help consumers learn where markets have been declared essential services, and to provide market operators with best practices, tips, and resources for weathering this emergency.
In jurisdictions that haven’t shut down farmers markets, you can help keep local farmers and food producers afloat during this difficult time by shopping there. Here in the Washington, DC region, for example, FRESHFARM—a nonprofit that operates 15 producer-only markets—has taken steps tokeep markets open safelyand to help their producersset up alternativesfor food pickup and delivery.
Of course, protecting yourself from the virus is a priority, so if you do visit a farmers market this weekend, it may be best to go early, refrain from socializing and maintain social distance, and only handle produce you intend to buy. For options with even less social contact, there are still many local farms offering Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, such as DC’sThree Part HarmonyorLittle Wild Things Farm, that provide fresh, local produce for pickup or delivery each week.