Because consumers recently have changed the way they buy and consume food, various snags in the food supply chain have led to disruptions.
Restaurants have been shuttered for weeks. Farms have been struggling with labor shortages for years. And grocery stores have been running out of bread, meat and eggs.The short answer is that U.S. agriculture is strong enough to handle it, with farmers still farming and no major shortages in sight, experts say.
But then when the coronavirus outbreak flared in March, the U.S. suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa processing services, raising concerns from American farms about being cut off from this labor supply. After hearing these concerns, the U.S. State Department since has eased requirements for these workers, much to the relief of farmers, who say they need their specialized help.
“Labor is always a concern for strawberries,” O’Donnell said. “They are hand-planted, hand-weeded, handpicked and hand-packed.”Farms in California will have about 20,000 workers in the fields in coming weeks picking berries for Driscoll's, the world's largest berry supplier. What if 15% of them get sick?
Prevention efforts still vary by farm. Many farmworkers also are undocumented, poor and not likely to stay home if sick because they need the money. Even if farm workers are young and might not get sick, the risk of a workforce reduction still looms over farms and their crops.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
U.S. agriculture: Can it handle coronavirus, labor shortages and panic buying?Despite being ready, both farms and fields will be tested by the pandemic. Here's what coronavirus bodes for the American dinner table.
Leer más »
Shoppers In Mexico Are Panic-Buying Beer During The Coronavirus CrisisTo the shock of many, alcoholic beverage production was listed as a nonessential business during the shutdown to aid social distancing. Then came the beer hoarding.
Leer más »
Supreme Court postpones April oral arguments over coronavirusThe U.S. Supreme Court on Friday postponed oral arguments scheduled for April as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and is considering alternative options for handling the various outstanding cases.
Leer más »
These stocks, including Amazon and Hasbro, can weather the pandemic, analysts sayNew for subscribers: These stocks, including Amazon and Hasbro, can weather the pandemic, analysts say Check out CNBCPro and get your first 30 days free.
Leer más »
US faces shortage of drugs that could be possible treatments for coronavirus: FDABarbi Manchester has lived with Lupus for 13 years and has taken hydroxychloroquine to treat it for just as long. 'I've never had any issues,' said Manchester, a Lupus Foundation of America advocate and ambassador. After reaching out to multiple pharmacies, Manchester eventually found
Leer más »
How to watch, live stream Coronavirus Task Force meeting for White House's latest COVID-19 announcementsThe Coronavirus Task Force will continue its daily briefings on Friday as cases of a new coronavirus in the U.S. surpass 245,000.
Leer más »