Coping with COVID-19 on the farm this spring

By Drew Spoelstra, OFA Executive Member

To The Haldimand Press

As spring rolls on and the pressures of COVID-19 unfold, Ontario farmers are bracing for the full impact of this pandemic.

Many sectors within the agri-food value chain are already dealing with significant ramifications of the virus – from labour shortages, excess product supply, and reduced processing capacity, to raw dairy products being dumped, cancelled or reduced contracts, and prolonged delays in feed and supply deliveries.

The agri-food industry anticipates more challenges as the growing season moves forward with the expectation that every farm and agri-business will be impacted to some degree by disruptions along the supply chain.

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A drastic shift in consumer spending and shopping patterns at grocery stores along with unexpected overnight changes in markets like restaurants, schools, and community and recreational facilities has required the entire food value chain to fundamentally rebalance the distribution of products. With an excess supply of fresh products and the fluctuation in consumer demand, many Ontario farmers and agriculture organizations are donating their goods to food banks and shelters in an effort to adjust to the new realities of our supply chain. Supporting Ontarians in need through COVID-19 offers a glimmer of light and positivity during an otherwise difficult situation for our industry.