We are experiencing unprecedented times. The Covid-19 (corona virus) global pandemic has created fear and panic for personal health concerns, but also for the health of our farm, food, and drink sector.
How is your business fairing through all of this?
You may be juggling personal perspectives and decisions for yourself and family, your employees, and your customers. It’s important to have pertinent and accurate information.
This will likely be a series of posts, as we discover daily changes to our lives and business. We are watching the situation closely and will facilitate information sharing as best we can. You can learn from other businesses and organization, but, please also share your learnings to support other food industry folk.
This is such an instant interruption, but be assured, it will not last forever.
The news we are exposed to changes by the hour. Use different sources to get accurate details. You can find specific disease-related information at these two federal and provincial websites. Everything from definitions, symptoms, prevention, travel, etc.
The BC Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Small Business BC, Community Futures, and British Columbia Economic Development Association, is urgently seeking your input around current and contemplated impacts to businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please take this quick 4-minute survey, today.
The farm, food, and drink sector will experience many challenges through this situation, but let’s keep a focus on the fact that people have to be fed. And, with global supply chains at risk, it is even more important to promote local food by local farmers and producers.
The following list shows areas for discussion or further investigation, as the subjects change daily:
What else would you add to this list?
What are you experiencing or hearing around the food community? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Often when there is a crisis situation, beyond experiencing the current pain of it all, there is usually great opportunity that can present itself. But, look after the basics first.
During a recent Export Development of Canada webinar, the key message from EDC’s vice-president and chief economist, Peter Hall, was that this is a temporary situation. We will likely not head into a recession, and the USD/CDN exchange rate should continue to hover between 70 and 75 cents. He emphasized that we should rebound starting half way through the year, and the ensuing economic upswing will start to happen in the second half of the year and into 2021.
Key takeaways from the presentation included:
Finances
Risk Management
Operations
Silver Lining
Download the SBBC Continuity Plan Checklist – emergency planning, employee protection, operations continuity.
BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM)
BC Food Processors Association (BCFPA)
A crisis is not a reason to back off. It may actually be an opportunity to expand when we do rebound. Continue marketing and communications initiatives, “We’re here, and we’re here with local food.”
If you’re struggling with any of this, we’d like to facilitate a connection to a Provincial Minister or business expert to help you get clarification for your particular issue. Contact us and let us know what you need.
Please share your insights and questions in the comments below. If there something you want to know, let us know, and we’ll try to find the answer for you.
In the meantime, keep yourself and your family safe and healthy, and make plans for keeping your business healthy, too.
Stay well,
Your Farm Food Drink Inc. Team
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