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As president of the Grower Shipper Association of Central California, I talk to farmers, farming companies and farm workers about the challenges faced when protecting essential employees from COVID-19.

The Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo, cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be a hybrid in-person and virtual event.

As Florida’s fall harvest season begins, there are new efforts to provide COVID-19 testing for farmworkers.

Bayer’s Crop Science Division’s Future of Farming Dialogue has changed from an in-person event to a virtual series.

The Walmart Foundation has given Brighter Bites $1.5 million to expand to California and support efforts in existing cities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bruce Taylor, chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms, Salinas, Calif., and the company have been named the recipient of the Roosevelt William President’s Award in recognition of philanthropy during the pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting web seminars every third Monday of the month on how local food systems can respond to needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only produce operators who are prepared to make adjustments to a changing market can expect to thrive, but there is much optimism about higher-trending consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Additional COVID-19 testing sites in Florida’s Miami-Dade, Hendry, and St. Lucie counties are available for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins, the Florida Department of Agriculture has announced.

See ya, sweatpants, Zoom calls and stock-up trips to the grocery store.