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How Does a Farmer Adapt if People Don’t Want to Touch Fruit? How Does a Farmer Adapt if People Don’t Want to Touch Fruit?
(3 days later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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The coronavirus pandemic has left no industry and no global system unchanged.The coronavirus pandemic has left no industry and no global system unchanged.
The way we grow, harvest and distribute food has been thrown into particular disarray, as workers fall ill and big companies struggle to adapt to demand that has almost instantaneously shifted from restaurants and cafeterias to supermarkets.The way we grow, harvest and distribute food has been thrown into particular disarray, as workers fall ill and big companies struggle to adapt to demand that has almost instantaneously shifted from restaurants and cafeterias to supermarkets.
Recently, I spoke with David Mas Masumoto, the third-generation California farmer and author whose peaches are coveted by amateur fruit enthusiasts and high-end professional chefs alike.Recently, I spoke with David Mas Masumoto, the third-generation California farmer and author whose peaches are coveted by amateur fruit enthusiasts and high-end professional chefs alike.
He said that, although painful adjustments were underway, there were also silver linings in the pandemic, particularly for smaller growers like the Masumoto Family Farm, which has about 80 acres south of Fresno.He said that, although painful adjustments were underway, there were also silver linings in the pandemic, particularly for smaller growers like the Masumoto Family Farm, which has about 80 acres south of Fresno.
Here’s our conversation, lightly edited and condensed:Here’s our conversation, lightly edited and condensed:
How are things going?How are things going?
All in all, good, in that we’re not in the middle of harvest. But it’s that cloud of uncertainty. Farmers are used to that, because of nature, but this is totally different.All in all, good, in that we’re not in the middle of harvest. But it’s that cloud of uncertainty. Farmers are used to that, because of nature, but this is totally different.
We’re reading the tea leaves about how consumer tastes are changing.We’re reading the tea leaves about how consumer tastes are changing.
For example, we make organic raisins and a lot go into raisin bran. Cereal sales are going fantastic after they were declining for some time.For example, we make organic raisins and a lot go into raisin bran. Cereal sales are going fantastic after they were declining for some time.
So after we lift the shelter in place, are people going back to skipping breakfast? How do peaches fit into this? Are peaches a luxury item or part of a new, healthy diet?So after we lift the shelter in place, are people going back to skipping breakfast? How do peaches fit into this? Are peaches a luxury item or part of a new, healthy diet?
[Read more about growing peaches as the climate changes in this Opinion piece.][Read more about growing peaches as the climate changes in this Opinion piece.]
We’re in a good position because we’ve always diversified — some small farmers are hurting because their main buyers were restaurants. We sell some to restaurants, but some to wholesale and direct sales.We’re in a good position because we’ve always diversified — some small farmers are hurting because their main buyers were restaurants. We sell some to restaurants, but some to wholesale and direct sales.
Each of those are starting to shift. We’re getting word that people may buy produce like peaches packaged in clamshells because they don’t want to touch the fruit — so how does packaging affect how we do things? Does that change the kind of fruit we want? Medium or big? I don’t know!Each of those are starting to shift. We’re getting word that people may buy produce like peaches packaged in clamshells because they don’t want to touch the fruit — so how does packaging affect how we do things? Does that change the kind of fruit we want? Medium or big? I don’t know!
This is one time where small is beautiful. When you’re small you can make these shifts much more easily.This is one time where small is beautiful. When you’re small you can make these shifts much more easily.
Do you supply to community-supported agriculture boxes? And is that something you’re shifting toward more?Do you supply to community-supported agriculture boxes? And is that something you’re shifting toward more?
Absolutely. Our friends are small farmers who do C.S.A. boxes.Absolutely. Our friends are small farmers who do C.S.A. boxes.
People are paying attention to food — they’re paying attention to what they make, and so small-scale C.S.A.’s have been booming.People are paying attention to food — they’re paying attention to what they make, and so small-scale C.S.A.’s have been booming.
We sell into some C.S.A.’s, but we don’t have a system set up to do our own. If we were a little closer to the Bay Area we probably would have set up something much more direct.We sell into some C.S.A.’s, but we don’t have a system set up to do our own. If we were a little closer to the Bay Area we probably would have set up something much more direct.
[Read more about the rise of community-supported agriculture services in the pandemic.][Read more about the rise of community-supported agriculture services in the pandemic.]
Up until now, we’ve only done that on a limited scale, but we could see that shifting more. It’s a win-win.Up until now, we’ve only done that on a limited scale, but we could see that shifting more. It’s a win-win.
How do you see sustainability fitting into all these changes?How do you see sustainability fitting into all these changes?
The broader question has to do with living with nature. People draw the comparison with World War II and victory gardens — this is working with nature, and the key with that is knowing there are unknowns.The broader question has to do with living with nature. People draw the comparison with World War II and victory gardens — this is working with nature, and the key with that is knowing there are unknowns.
[Read more about the re-emergence of victory gardens.][Read more about the re-emergence of victory gardens.]
Do you think this will change how you actually grow the peaches?Do you think this will change how you actually grow the peaches?
When I got here, the huge shift was me keeping heirloom varieties we grow, as opposed to breeding for shelf life. We’re very fortunate the market grew with us and we found an audience for that when the whole food revolution took over in the 1980s and 1990s.When I got here, the huge shift was me keeping heirloom varieties we grow, as opposed to breeding for shelf life. We’re very fortunate the market grew with us and we found an audience for that when the whole food revolution took over in the 1980s and 1990s.
I wonder now, is it one of those pivot moments, where we’re in the middle of another food revolution?I wonder now, is it one of those pivot moments, where we’re in the middle of another food revolution?
I think this whole crisis has accentuated the middlemen: the distributors, the packers, the shippers — they’re the ones at the heart of all this and they have tended to be ignored.I think this whole crisis has accentuated the middlemen: the distributors, the packers, the shippers — they’re the ones at the heart of all this and they have tended to be ignored.
A static example is toilet paper. There are truckers and shippers, then the local store gets their Tuesday shipment of toilet paper. No one used to pay attention to when toilet paper arrived.A static example is toilet paper. There are truckers and shippers, then the local store gets their Tuesday shipment of toilet paper. No one used to pay attention to when toilet paper arrived.
The same thing is happening with the food chain. I always had a little struggle when people used the term “farm to fork.” It leaves out the middle that’s so critical.The same thing is happening with the food chain. I always had a little struggle when people used the term “farm to fork.” It leaves out the middle that’s so critical.
Another thing that we’re in the middle of accentuating is labor.Another thing that we’re in the middle of accentuating is labor.
I was just going to ask about that.I was just going to ask about that.
What is the safety of farmworkers? We need sick-leave policies. But I think this could be a shift to people paying attention.What is the safety of farmworkers? We need sick-leave policies. But I think this could be a shift to people paying attention.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
For us, we did a lot of the work ourselves and initially just had seasonal employees at pruning, trimming and harvest time. But about 10 years ago, the labor supply was getting very inconsistent and so we got one full-time employee and a few seasonal employees. At the height, we’re talking about only about a dozen and they tend to be the same.For us, we did a lot of the work ourselves and initially just had seasonal employees at pruning, trimming and harvest time. But about 10 years ago, the labor supply was getting very inconsistent and so we got one full-time employee and a few seasonal employees. At the height, we’re talking about only about a dozen and they tend to be the same.
[Read about how the pandemic has essentially halted migration to the U.S.][Read about how the pandemic has essentially halted migration to the U.S.]
And about five to 10 years ago, we started transitioning so the farm fits the labor. Usually in business, it’s the opposite. I’m not faulting big agriculture for doing that, but we have efficiencies on a small scale that work to our advantage.And about five to 10 years ago, we started transitioning so the farm fits the labor. Usually in business, it’s the opposite. I’m not faulting big agriculture for doing that, but we have efficiencies on a small scale that work to our advantage.
Are you worried right now about finding even the labor you do need?Are you worried right now about finding even the labor you do need?
We’re definitely concerned. All these hands that feed us — what happens with politics and immigration. All those factors come butting into what we do. I always think that we’re in Fresno, which is hundreds of miles from the border but we’re actually on the border because it affects us directly.We’re definitely concerned. All these hands that feed us — what happens with politics and immigration. All those factors come butting into what we do. I always think that we’re in Fresno, which is hundreds of miles from the border but we’re actually on the border because it affects us directly.
I think that’s true with a lot of people in the industry and the food world.I think that’s true with a lot of people in the industry and the food world.
[See every coronavirus case in California by county.][See every coronavirus case in California by county.]
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
California sued Uber and Lyft, claiming that the companies wrongly classified drivers as independent contractors when they should be treated as employees. It’s part of the long-running fight over the state’s new gig-worker law. [The New York Times]California sued Uber and Lyft, claiming that the companies wrongly classified drivers as independent contractors when they should be treated as employees. It’s part of the long-running fight over the state’s new gig-worker law. [The New York Times]
The state’s stay-at-home restrictions still prohibit restaurants from opening for dine-in service without a certified countywide safety plan, but some in Bakersfield did. [The Bakersfield Californian]The state’s stay-at-home restrictions still prohibit restaurants from opening for dine-in service without a certified countywide safety plan, but some in Bakersfield did. [The Bakersfield Californian]
“You think this is just the flu? No. If you’ve never had this, you have no idea.” Every member of a family in Yuba County, which reopened businesses in defiance of the state order, is suffering from Covid-19. [The Sacramento Bee]“You think this is just the flu? No. If you’ve never had this, you have no idea.” Every member of a family in Yuba County, which reopened businesses in defiance of the state order, is suffering from Covid-19. [The Sacramento Bee]
The state’s huge deal with a company selling masks came together quickly. Within hours of a roughly half-billion-dollar wire transfer, the deal fell apart. [CalMatters]The state’s huge deal with a company selling masks came together quickly. Within hours of a roughly half-billion-dollar wire transfer, the deal fell apart. [CalMatters]
The Tenderloin in San Francisco is facing a looming health crisis. [New York Times Opinion]The Tenderloin in San Francisco is facing a looming health crisis. [New York Times Opinion]
Disney’s new chief executive wouldn’t say when Disneyland might reopen. In the meantime, the company is not doing well. [The New York Times]Disney’s new chief executive wouldn’t say when Disneyland might reopen. In the meantime, the company is not doing well. [The New York Times]
A group of Marine recruits started their training this week after more than two weeks of quarantine at a nearby hotel. [The San Diego Union-Tribune]A group of Marine recruits started their training this week after more than two weeks of quarantine at a nearby hotel. [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
You’re into South Korean baseball now? Get ready for bat flips, figure out who you’re rooting for and learn your player-specific cheers. [The New York Times]You’re into South Korean baseball now? Get ready for bat flips, figure out who you’re rooting for and learn your player-specific cheers. [The New York Times]
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Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.