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The Packer’s Tom Karst visited March 25 with Alex DiNovo, president and chief operating officer of DNO Produce, the Columbus, Ohio-based distributor.

The fresh produce industry is facing unprecedented losses with the COVID-19 pandemic according to Western Growers, which is asking the USDA to cover all PACA claims to ensure produce sellers are fully protected.

The Packer’s Tom Karst talks on March 26 with Jason Resnick, vice president and general counsel for Western Growers, about the current foodservice crisis tied to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

The Andrew and Phyllis D’Arrigo Charitable Foundation, Salinas, Calif., is donating to Monterey County non-profit organizations as residents comply with a shelter-in-place order in the county.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited on March 26 with Richard Owen, vice president of global membership and engagement for the Produce Marketing Association.

Organics Unlimited, San Diego, is using funds from its Disaster Relief GROW sub-fund to help workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission, Lansing, has donated $5,000 to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, to be used by food banks to purchase potatoes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of FAQs for the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act as customers ask suppliers about extending payment terms.

With the uncertainty of the effects of COVID-19 on business, any company selling produce should not extend payment terms past 30 days, thereby waiving protections under the PACA Trust, according to United Fresh.

The 2020 Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention and trade show is canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.