Our Response to the COVID-19 outbreak
Thank you for your patience and support as we react and adjust to a quickly evolving situation. If you have a question and do not see the answer below, send us an email so that we can address it. Thanks!
What are Footprint Farm's new food safety protocols?
We have held a CAPS food safety certification since 2017, and are following all of their updated guidelines which come from the Department of Public Health and the CDC. Luckily the current science says that transmission through food holds little to no risk, but we continue to follow safety guidelines to keep our staff and customers safe.
In practice, we are only allowing farm staff to enter our washing and packing facility. All employees must wash hands before entering any production spaces, when changing tasks, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. All employees wear masks when washing, packing and delivering produce, and all production surfaces, doorknobs, and restrooms are disinfected at the end of the day.
Employees have been asked to practice the governor's current recommendations. Any employee who is showing signs of sickness, or who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for covid, is required to quarantine and get tested before returning to work. All employees are paid full wages for covid-related time away from work.
In practice, we are only allowing farm staff to enter our washing and packing facility. All employees must wash hands before entering any production spaces, when changing tasks, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. All employees wear masks when washing, packing and delivering produce, and all production surfaces, doorknobs, and restrooms are disinfected at the end of the day.
Employees have been asked to practice the governor's current recommendations. Any employee who is showing signs of sickness, or who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for covid, is required to quarantine and get tested before returning to work. All employees are paid full wages for covid-related time away from work.
Has CSA pickup changed?
Yes. Our CSA shares were fully boxed in 2020, but will be transitioning to a covid-conscious market style pick up in 2021*. This means that at our Hinesburg and Bristol pickup locations we will follow the following protocols:
-Hand sanitizer will be required for entry, and masks are required
-Children should stay out of the CSA space unless they are in a car seat or carrier
-Only two CSA members are allowed in the space at a time
-CSA members will go through separate tables to select vegetables according to the week's item list
-Extra items from online store orders will be given out by a Footprint Farm employee
If you are immune compromised to the point where you are not going to grocery stores we are happy to work with you to make other arrangements.
*Burlington and Footprint Farm pickup locations will continue to be boxed.
-Hand sanitizer will be required for entry, and masks are required
-Children should stay out of the CSA space unless they are in a car seat or carrier
-Only two CSA members are allowed in the space at a time
-CSA members will go through separate tables to select vegetables according to the week's item list
-Extra items from online store orders will be given out by a Footprint Farm employee
If you are immune compromised to the point where you are not going to grocery stores we are happy to work with you to make other arrangements.
*Burlington and Footprint Farm pickup locations will continue to be boxed.
Has farmers market changed?
Yes. We usually go to the Shelburne Farmers Market, which is closed for 2020. Some markets are still open but with strict safety guidelines. Look for guidelines on individual markets' websites.
Can I order your vegetables online, or get them from the farm?
We are not selling produce from our farm as we are trying to limit our public interaction right now. Our products are available through our CSA, and are for sale year-round at Family Cow Farmstand in Hinesburg.
How can I help?
We are taking this virus very seriously, so the best thing you can do is try your best to follow any protocols that have been set at your local farm stand, grocery store or CSA pickup. We are also asking people to stay out of grocery stores around the first of the month so that families on EBT or WIC can purchase their groceries while they have benefits (some benefits are only allowed to be used on particular foods/brands, and if they are sold out these families are out of luck). Lastly, support your local food system in whatever way works for you. Food banks and restaurants in particular are feeling the pinch right now. NOFA Vermont is collecting donations for farms affected by covid.
