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CalFlowers Staff Representatives:

Director of Transportation
Chris Johnson

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Lani Conklin

Marketing & Events Manager
Monnaie Pepin

Dear CalFlowers Member,

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Issues Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

CalFlowers received this message from Ag Association Management Services Inc. (AAMSI), so we are passing it along as the nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19. The President has issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:

"If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department ofHomeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

Included in this announcement is identifying workers who conduct a range of operations and services that are essential. The section pertaining to Food and Agriculture is posted below.

CalFlowers will continue to assist our Members by sharing these messages that we receive from AAMSI to ensure this guidance is recognized by state and local jurisdictions as this situation progresses. We will update you on any further developments.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR:

  • Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail that sells food and beverage products
  • Restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations - Carry-out and delivery food employees
  • Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging
  • Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically
  • Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs
  • Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers
  • Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail
  • Company cafeterias - in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees
  • Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education
  • Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments
  • Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids
  • Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.,transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce
  • Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products
  • Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution

Download the Full Guidance Statement Here

Be Well,

CalFlowers Board and Staff

538 W. Trimble Road, San Jose, CA 95131 | www.cafgs.org 

Ph. 831-479-4912 | Fax 831-479-4914