In This Issue:

1. Families First Coronavirus Response Act
2. Sample Letter for Employees of Essential Services
3. CDFA Website Adds Coronavirus Resource Section

For More Information Contact Our Office:

(831) 479-4912
or [email protected]

CalFlowers Staff Representatives:

Director of Transportation
Chris Johnson

Marketing & Membership Services
Lani Conklin

Marketing & Events Manager
Monnaie Pepin

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Dear CalFlowers Member,

Congress Passes Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 18, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA is a bipartisan effort to help employers and individuals alike in managing pay, benefits, and business considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this alert is the impact of FFCRA on employer-sponsored benefits and paid leave. The paid leave provisions of the Act apply to employers with less than 500 employees.  They are effective within 15 days from date of enactment and expire at the end of 2020, unless extended. 

Click Here to read more.

Sample Letter for Employees of Essential Services

As you may be aware, California Governor Newsom yesterday issued a statewide Stay at Home Order for all residents in California.  We recognize this order may create some challenges and confusion for both employers and employees of businesses deemed as essential in this crisis.

AAMSI has provided us with the below sample letter that California food and agriculture businesses may find useful to share with employees. We encourage you to personalize this letter to provide your employees with any specific information about additional safety precautions in place to protect their health and to outline any services, such as childcare, that may be available to them.  

Although the Governor’s order directs all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, it specifically states this does not apply to employees of operations determined critical infrastructure sectors, which includes agriculture. You can find a list from the Department of Homeland Security outlining what types of businesses qualify for exemptions from orders such as the one issued in California yesterday.  You can find that list here. 

Governor Newsom has emphasized that Californians working in 16 critical infrastructure sectors-which includes food and agriculture-may continue their work because of the importance of these sectors to Californians' health and well-being. It is critically importantly the food supply be maintained. 

Sample Letter to Employees 

CDFA Website Adds Coronavirus Resource Section

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has added a new section to its website with information for California's agriculture industry. This can be found here. We suggest you bookmark this and visit regularly for updates.

Thank you,

CalFlowers Board and Staff

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

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