As an agricultural business, Tierra Vida Farm is considered a critical business and therefore will remain open throughout the COVID 19 pandemic. In addition, our means of distribution (CSA, hospital, grocery stores, etc.) have all been deemed critical retail so we will continue to service those markets.
Tierra Vida Farm has had a food safety plan in place for many years. For the duration of the COVID 19 outbreak we will be adding the additional precautions:
Tierra Vida Farm has had a food safety plan in place for many years. For the duration of the COVID 19 outbreak we will be adding the additional precautions:
- Hana and Daniel will quarantine at the farm except for deliveries and essential pickups for critical farm supplies. Social distancing will be practiced whenever trips to town are necessary. Frequent hand washing (or hand sanitizer) will be used in addition to gloves and masks.
- Employees will be required to quarantine, leave their house only for work and essential needs, and practice social distancing.
- Farm tours will be cancelled and visitors will not be allowed on the farm.
- On farm bathrooms, kitchen, and other frequently used areas will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Harvest tools, bins, and the wash & pack area will be cleaned and sanitized before EVERY use (this has always been our policy but we want to make sure it’s abundantly clear).
- Gloves and masks will be used on harvest days.
- During our CSA distribution, we will follow all social distancing requirements. Members will not be allowed to handle produce. Farm owners will wear gloves and masks. Farm owners will pack bags for members. Hand washing station and/or hand sanitizer will be readily available.
- CSA Members who are unable to leave their homes due to illness or because they are at high-risk, will have their CSA delivered to their doorstep.
These are the steps we have decided to take based on common sense in addition to federal and state guidelines. We are also drawing on guidelines being released by farmers markets across the country. In addition, we will follow any additional requirements put out by San Juan Basin Health.
In the past, we've set up a retail table during our CSA pickup. We will not be doing that this year. However, we will have an online store where people can pre-order eggs and CSA style bags (when we have additional produce available) and pickup during CSA delivery. We will send out an email when product is available to purchase online. If you are not on our email list and would like to receive those emails, please email hana@tierravidafarm.com to be added.