As we enter into the 2023 CSA Season and continue selling our produce at local farmers markets, we want to reassure you, our valued community members, that at Transplanting Traditions we are doing everything we can to maintain the health and safety of our farmers, our customers and our community at large. 

We have a preparedness plan in place and are taking steps on a daily basis to ensure that we can continue to provide safe, fresh produce to our CSA members and the local community. It is important to note that according to the FDA and the CDC there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through food or food surfaces. Read this insightful article for further discussion of the unlikelihood of food as a vector. Our utmost priority is the safety of our customers and farmers. 

Key Steps TTCF Staff and Farmers are taking:

• Continuing to utilize the utmost in food safety practices with minimal handling of produce before consumers receive it
• Daily sanitizing of all common spaces, vegetable washing and packing areas, shared tools, handles, surfaces, harvest bins, etc. using approved CDC sanitization methods and recommended dilution.
• Installation of additional handwashing stations throughout the farm in order to continue our vigilance with frequent, thorough handwashing according to CDC guidelines.
• 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. 
• Closing the farm to all outside visitors except CSA members and during special events.
  
• Developing COVID-19 back-up plans with each farmer in the case of illness or outbreak on the farm, including a clear communication plan requiring immediate reporting of any of the above situations to all staff and farmers to limit further exposure. 
• If a CSA farmer, anyone in their household, or anyone they have been in contact with demonstrates symptoms of coronavirus, that farmer’s CSA shares may be paused for two to four weeks if the other CSA farmers do not have the capacity to fulfill those shares. CSA members will be notified immediately, and TTCF staff will conduct an ongoing evaluation of next steps. 
• Implementing a CSA Pick-up Protocol at all of our CSA box pick-up locations to ensure safety and  social distancing for both our customers and our volunteers.
• Adhering to all policies as recommended and/or required when selling produce at farmers markets. 
• Remaining up-to-date on the local and national COVID-19 situation and the CDC recommendations to prevent exposure and spreading of the virus.
• Please click here (PDF) for a more detailed outline of our protocols, particularly in relation to our CSA

We wish our customers and everyone in our surrounding community good health and thank you all for your continued support.