As the nation grapples with COVID-19, those whose business and passion gravitate toward food – specifically, those aligned with Healthy Fats Coalition (www.healthyfatscoalition.org - HFC) -- have shared current information and poignant insights via websites and social media.
A sampling of COVID-19 reaction from HFC supporters follows:
o Nutritional Therapy Association
SARS-CoV-2 Solutions-Focused Information Share Resources
“At this moment, accurate information is difficult to conclude as this virus is new. It will take time to learn the best tools for avoidance and methods to apply after infection. So, for now, we are doing our best to make educated, hypothetical decisions based on what we know about other strains of SARS, what we know about this strain from those who have been infected and computerized models, and what we know about the immune system. Many scientists, all over the world, are currently working together to make the best educated decisions possible without the use of primary studies. We must also consider the importance of decreased financial stability for many people and reactions based from fear. It is our goal to provide accurate information, please use the links below for your reference. It is also our goal to help people stay calm, make good decisions based on what we know, and support lasting wellness.”
o Diana Rodgers, RD, NTP, Sustainable Dish
What My Family is Doing During the Coronavirus
“I’m incredibly thankful to live on a farm at this time. I’ve never liked crowded spaces and am quite worried for those who live in large cities, who don’t have much access to clean safe housing, food and air, and for the many people who are paycheck to paycheck and will be negatively impacted by job loss. We have an abundance of chores to keep ourselves busy, and food stores on hand to ensure we won’t go hungry.
“Much of my social network is already virtual, and it’s been a huge comfort to be able to text and FaceTime my family and friends. I worry for those who are already social isolated right now and hope folks find a virtual group to foster a sense of connection during this time… I’ve seen more people taking this seriously, but realize that not everyone lives in areas as affected as ours. I think that there will be massive ramifications to our healthcare, economic and food systems that we still can’t foresee.”
“The critical role of local agriculture has never been more evident. The current situation simply reinforces the need for strong localized agricultural systems. People have always known it’s good to support local farms. Now they’re seeing firsthand just how very important it is. I think a lot about the role farms play in crisis situations. That’s one of the reasons I got into agriculture. It was for environmental reasons, yes, but also from the realization that a centralized food system doesn’t make sense. When things break down and there’s a temporary disruption in our centralized agriculture system, how are we going to take care of ourselves? How has your relationship with your food supply changed since the coronavirus crisis? (Small farms step up to provide food amid a pandemic).
“Preppers are looking a lot less ‘fringe’ these days, now that we’re more aware than ever about the importance of regional food, doing more with less, and the fragility of our global supply chains. Increasing our self-sufficiency is not only empowering, resilience-boosting, and educational, it can also be very therapeutic, accessible to many different lifestyles and conditions, and fun!”
o Weston A. Price Foundation
How to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus or Any Virus
Sally Fallon Morell takes a common sense look at viruses
o Gold Nugget Ghee
Happy Easter dear ones!!!
This is a time symbolizing new beginnings, recalibrating of your lifestyle, and a refocusing of your heart’s desires. This egg mandala reminds us of our unique selves and the power of the collective. With all that has been happening on the planet these last few months, it’s almost as if we have all returned to the nest and we are in a place of protecting one another. Keep your head and heart ❤️ up ☝️! Feed and nourish yourselves with nutrient dense foods! May you and your loved ones be healthy, happy, and following your heart ❤️. Much love from the crew at Gold Nugget Ghee
o Fourth & Heart
Lately we've been thinking about all the small businesses around the world working to sustain themselves during this period of extreme uncertainty. We wanted to share a photo from a visit to one of the many family-run vanilla bean farms we partner with to source the highest quality ingredients for our ghee. We care *a lot* about where our ingredients come from, and the folks who we work with to make our product the best it can be. We wanted to let you all know that by supporting 4th & Heart, you are supporting a network of bootstrappers across the globe who are passionate about what they bring to the (dinner) table.
o Dr. Cate Shanahan
Hidden metabolic disorders are overlooked and making coronavirus deadly. It's not the virus itself that kills, it's something called ARDS, which results from out of control inflammation #covid#coronavirus #VegOilSucks
https://t.co/Jua8qS1UaI?amp=1. Dr. Drew Pinsky and I discuss some of the good news about a potential treatment for #coronavirus
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1jMJgQrgbWmKL?t=5m56s
o The Vida Well
Who else has been doing a lot of cleaning? Not only cleaning but disinfecting and such. It still blows my mind that people are putting bleach on their bodies and on precious food. Bleach and other harmful chemicals are endocrine disrupters, inflammatory and have been linked to cause cancer. ⠀⠀
I wanted to share what I have been doing to clean and disinfect without the negative health consequences. Plus, I wanted to give some advice not only because it’s a crazy time but also because there is a LOT of misinformation, and well, information in general.
o Pure Indian Foods
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there is no evidence to support the spread of COVID-19 through food. [Read more here.] Regardless, here’s how we’re ensuring your protection:
All of our facilities have the highest levels of food and employee safety certifications, strictly following GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). Nevertheless, we are reinforcing adherence to our rigorous and established hygiene processes and increasing sanitation measures throughout. As we closely follow the developing situation, we will continue to stay at the forefront of best manufacturing and shipping practices. Additionally, any employees who exhibit symptoms or feel unwell are encouraged to stay home and rest. The health of our employees and our larger community is our utmost concern.
o Coast Packing Company
As the national COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues, we hope this update finds you and your loved ones safe and well. Although the virus continues to spread, the national outlook overall has improved slightly, with the rate of infection appearing to slow and the overall curve flattening. Experts are pointing to mid to late May to begin easing the “Safer at Home” guidance and reopening the economy. We at Coast Packing are continuing to work hard to do our part, implementing a number of programs and modifying various schedules to support our employees and our customers alike. Because of these steps, we continue to operate.
As part of the critical infrastructure, Coast continues our commitment to feeding this great country and protecting our employees. We have implemented a mandatory entry policy that requires a brief health screening, including a temperature check for any employees, visitors, contractors, pickups or deliveries. We ask that every visitor wear a mask of some kind and be prepared for this; please contact us immediately if there are any concerns. We also are hoping for greater collaboration as we forecast for the next several weeks and months.
Again, thank you for your commitment and support in this extraordinary time of need. Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.
o Schiltz Foods
Capon Processing Season
Our Capon Processing season will begin on Tuesday, June 9. Schiltz Goose Farm and Schiltz Foods are essential businesses due to being in the agriculture and food Industries. Our tentative processing schedule is June = 4-8 days, July - 2-4 days, August = 2-4 days. It is our hope that the threat of COVID-19 is lessened by June, however, we are taking precautions during the application gathering process, and implementing numerous precautions throughout the entire facility to promote health and safety of our employees.
o Hickory Nut Gap
The COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous economic challenges on all sectors of the economy. Agriculture and food are seeing unprecedented growth as grocery stores scramble to fill their shelves while restaurants are shuttered. As a result, Hickory Nut Gap is being forced to make tough decisions about strategy without a good understanding of where things will end up in these unprecedented times.
Unfortunately, our local restaurant route had very few deliveries as most doors are shuttered. These local restaurants were the lifeblood of our business in the early years. I remember the thrill of selling John Stehling at Early Girl Eatery 20 lbs. of hamburger each week and the hope that it instilled in me that we were on the right track. The independent small business is a bedrock for creating the conditions for entrepreneurial and creative cultural shifts. Without independent restaurants, we lose some of the spirit that helps define us all.
As we plan for the future, I believe that everyone is going to be going through a difficult period on a personal and professional level. Hickory Nut Gap is not going to be spared. But the importance of healthy, humane, and eco-friendly livestock production and the desire for great food is going to remain strong. There might be a short term drought where growth is hard and times are tough but the rains will come again and we will be ready for it when the time comes.
We would like to start a conversation about how small businesses like ours can support our local community. While our business has certainly been affected by the pandemic, we have been lucky in that we are still able to continue our operations as a food provider. We have changed our operations at the Farm Store, and adjusted our Wholesale department to provide meats to grocery stores, and have also provided meat donations to groups like MANNA and the Cherokee Nation. We want to hear from you to identify any needs in our community that come to mind. We appreciate any and all feedback and suggestions.
Hang tough everyone and we will live to continue to build community through agriculture and drive the change we all want to see.
Sincerely,
Jamie and Amy Ager