Despite the complexity of grappling with a global pandemic as a small farm, we are filled with gratitude toward our CSA members and all of our supporters in the community. Thank you for recognizing the value of local, sustainably grown produce and for supporting our refugee farmers. 

What makes Community Supported Agriculture so meaningful is that our members commit to supporting the farm through all of the abundance as well as any setbacks a farming season may bring. As a CSA member, you are part of the TTCF family and this is your farm. We could not exist without your commitment and support and we are deeply thankful.

We want to emphasize our commitment  to protecting your health and safety as well as that of our farmers and our community at large. Below are more specific policies we are and will continue to follow to ensure we do everything within our power to honor that commitment.

 

GENERAL ON-FARM PROTOCOL

• According to the FDA and the CDC, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread via food.

• In order to prevent any possible spread amongst farmers and staff, staff will regularly reinforce TTCF’S standard operating procedures for cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and drying any food contact surfaces, food handling equipment, bins, and tools.

• Practicing on-farm six-foot social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC.

• Farmers will wear masks when packing produce for customers, and wear masks when in the main barn area or any other instances where maintaining a 6-foot distance from others is not possible.

• Avoiding in-person meetings when possible. In the case of essential in-person group meetings, the meeting size will be limited to no more than 10 people.

• Holding all meetings outdoors and using social distancing guidelines when meetings or group activities are necessary.

• Closing the farm to all outside visitors except essential farm workers and TTCF staff, including the use of a locked gate to control traffic and access to the farm. During the active CSA season, CSA members that are signed up for on-farm pick-up are permitted as long as they adhere strictly to the On-Farm CSA Pick-up Guidelines as outlined below.

• Continuing to utilize the utmost in food safety practices with minimal handling of produce before consumers receive it.

• Providing separate work areas, wash stations, storage space, and infrastructure facilities for CSA farmers and CSA-related vegetable production to limit the number of people using shared spaces. 

 

PROTOCOL IN CASE OF TTCF FARMER COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESS

• If any TTCF farmer, anyone in their household, or anyone they have been in contact with demonstrates coronavirus symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, they will contact the Assistant Farm Manager immediately and describe the situation and symptoms. The Assistant Farm Manager will document the conversation and information reported, and will alert all other staff and farmers immediately.

• In the case that a farmer has symptoms of or tests positive for COVID-19, the farmer and all household members are advised to follow the CDC guidelines and self-quarantine for 14 days from the day that symptoms appeared. To return to the farm they must meet all three of the following CDC criteria:

  • They have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (without fever reducing medication) AND

  • Respiratory symptoms have improved AND

  • At least 10 days have passed since their symptoms began.

  • OR when they have no fever, respiratory symptoms have improved, and they receive two negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart.

• If the farmer tests positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic, they may return to the farm 10 days after receiving the positive test, assuming that no COVID-19 symptoms have developed.

• If a farmer reports that someone in their household is demonstrating symptoms of COVID-19, the farmer and everyone in their household are advised to immediately seek a diagnostic test for COVID-19 and quarantine at home until they receive test results and self-monitor for symptoms. If a household member tests positive, the farmer may not return to the farm until the ill household member has been without a fever for 72 hours, respiratory symptoms have improved, and at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms began. The farmer may be able to return to the farm sooner, but this will be decided on a case by case basis.

• If a CSA farmer or a member of their household comes into contact with someone reporting symptoms of COVID-19 or having tested positive for COVID-19, that farmer and everyone in their household are advised to immediately seek COVID-19 testing and quarantine at home until they receive a negative test result. They may return to the farm if everyone in their household tests negative but must take extra precautions upon returning to the farm until 14 days from the original date of exposure has passed. 

• If any of the above mentioned situations occur for a CSA farmer and other CSA farmers have the capacity to fulfill the impacted farmer’s CSA shares, they will do so. If not, that farmer’s CSA shares will be paused for 2-4 weeks. CSA members of the impacted farmer will be notified immediately; and, if requested due to financial hardship, they may be given up to a 50% refund, depending on length of pause.

• All other CSA members will be notified of this situation via email as well and given the opportunity to decline shares if they prefer. They can use these weeks as their make up weeks. Up to two make-up weeks are offered for each 8-week season.

 

GENERAL CSA PICK-UP SITE PROTOCOL

• Members must not come to pick-ups if they are ill or anyone in their household is ill. They may however, in the case of illness, send someone from outside their household to pick up their share for them. The member and anyone from their household should not return to pick up until they meet the criteria determined by the CDC:

  • They have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (without fever reducing medication) AND

  • Respiratory symptoms have improved AND

  • At least 7 days have passed since their symptoms began.

• Home delivery to CSA members is available if they cannot come pick-up their CSA box due to illness. They may request delivery by emailing csa@transplantingtraditions.org. It may take up to 48 hours to arrange a delivery to the member's house.

• Members must wear a mask or face covering to pick up sites. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings and it is required by the state of North Carolina

• All shares will be packed in plastic bags inside the CSA boxes to enable quick pick-ups. 

• Members will maintain a 6 foot space between themselves and others at all times.

• Volunteers at staffed pick-up locations will be provided with masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. They will find each member’s box and make it accessible to them, maintaining a 6 foot space between themselves and the members.

• “Swap box” vegetable items will not be offered at any of the pick-up sites at this time.

 

ON-FARM CSA PICK-UP SITE EXPECTATIONS

• CSA Members signed up for on farm pick-up must not come to the farm if they are ill or anyone in their household is ill, per the above stated protocol. 

• CSA Members signed up for on farm pick-up are permitted on the farm and are expected, in addition to adhering to all the previously stated protocol, to comply with the following guidelines:

  • Members must wear masks or face coverings (scarves, bandanas, etc. covering both nose and mouth) at all times while on the farm.

  • Members will use the provided hand sanitizer before and after unlocking the gate as well as before and after opening the cooler or turning on the cooler light.

  • Members will limit their time on the farm and are no longer permitted to walk around the farm.

  • Members sending friends to pick up their share will clearly explain the pick-up process and expectations.

• If CSA members who normally pick-up at farmers markets are unable to pick up their boxes during the designated time frame, they may pick up on the farm. They must notify the Farm Manager via email at csa@transplantingtraditions.org in advance and comply with the above guidelines.

• A sign will be posted on the gate detailing the on-farm expectations for CSA members’ reference.

 

FARMERS MARKET PROTOCOL IN CASE OF MARKET FARMER ILLNESS 

• Market farmers will adhere to all market recommendations and requirements.

• Farmers will wear masks and gloves when distributing and selling food. 

• TTCF is now offering online pre-ordering for market produce via the farm’s website. 

• If market farmers report that they or anyone in their household is showing symptoms, they cannot sell at the farmers market until they and their household meet the CDC criteria for ending quarantine, detailed in previous sections.

• The other farmers will be given the option to sub in for the sick farmer and sell at the impacted market. If TTCF farmers are not going to be able to sell at the markets, staff will update the market manager immediately.

If you have further questions about this protocol, you may email the Farm Manager at csa@transplantingtraditions.org. Our email response times may be longer than usual due to COVID-19 and our limited capacity. We appreciate your patience.