Commercial Horticulture News – April 2020
go.ncsu.edu/readext?669769
COVID-19 Distribution Disruptions
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is aware that farmers have seen disruptions in their normal distribution during this period of COVID-19 and social distancing. Retailers have seen panic buying patterns and are challenged to keep produce in stock and merchandised. If you are an NC grower of produce and looking to sell products that you don’t have a market for, we want to know. We will be compiling information, from NC growers, to distribute to major retailers on a weekly basis. This is not to be used as an alternate for markets that you already have. This service is set up to help those who don’t have markets to sell what they would normally. Call us weekly to update your availability and be listed in the distribution. This service will last until we no longer see a major need from the growers or interest from the retailers.
Who needs to call?
North Carolina farmers who lost the primary sales market for produce due to COVID–19 market disruption?
What information do I need to provide?
Farm name, contact person, phone number, email address, product type, availability dates, GAP certification information, and whether the product is conventional or organic.
When should I contact someone?
We need you to call one of our marketing specialists by 5:00 p.m. every Wednesday to be included in the list that will be distributed to retailers on Monday of the following week.
Where should I call?
Find the produce that best fits your offering and call the number listed.
What if I have multiple products on the list or my produce is not listed?
You don’t have to call multiple numbers. Our marketing specialists will take all your information in one call. If your produce is not listed, you can call any of the numbers listed below.
How long will this service last?
Until we no longer see a major need from the growers or interest from the retailers.
(919) 707-3125
- Asparagus
- Blueberries
- Other
(984) 302-2310
- Strawberries
(919) 707-3127
- Organic/CFSA
- Sweet Potatoes
(919) 707-3129
- Peanuts
(252) 340-1129
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Collards
- Greens
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mustard Greens
- Napa
- Romaine
(828) 413-2767
Herbs
(919) 707-3123
- Beets
- Greenhouse Vegetables
- Green Peas
- Mushrooms
- Radishes
- Snow Peas
- Spinach
- Squash
- Turnips
- Zucchini
USDA Temporarily Extends Some Audit Program Certifications