Food shipping

The AFBF President says the Farm Bureau will keep an eye out for any disruptions that prevent American consumers from having access to enough food.

“We at American Farm Bureau will remain watchful and vigilant to ensure that U.S. agriculture and others in the food supply chain are able to continue feeding America, just like we do 365 days a year. It’s important that Americans know that the farmers and ranchers nationwide are continuing to produce the food we all rely on,” said Duvall.

California Farm Bureau says: Temporary closures or reduced occupancy by restaurants, work-site cafeterias and other outlets have ripple effects to the farmers and companies that sell fruits, vegetables and meats to such food-service businesses. Food wholesalers say they're working to find alternative customers for farm products. Though sales at restaurants and institutional clients have declined, outlets that offer drive-through, pickup or delivery service have seen their business increase.

Travel restrictions intended to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus have led to canceled flights, reducing options for shipping California-grown foods to foreign customers. Shipments carried on passenger planes complement shipments via ocean and air freight. With passenger flights reduced, perishable cargo such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats and dairy products will compete for space on aircraft with other commodities and express shipments.