Advocacy Efforts - U.S.

Supporting our Heroes – Help urge your elected officials to recognize the men and women who ensure we have access to food and give them well-deserved tax relief for their commitment during this pandemic. Go to https://p2a.co/QgCg5WN , to contact your officials.

• Letter to Congress on Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Forgiveness Act   (17 September 2020)
• Letter to Congress on Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act (15 September 2020)
• Letter to Congress on Tax Treatment of Loan Forgiveness under PPP (4 August 2020) 
• Letter to Congress Supporting The Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Forgiveness Act (31 July 2020)
• Letter to Congress Supporting the SAFE TO WORK Act (30 July 2020)
• Introduction of FRNT LINE Act – Tax Relief for Essential Workers (20 July 2020)
• Letter to Congress Supporting Liability Protection (20 July 2020)
• Letter to Congress Supporting Small Business Recovery  (16 July 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)
• Letter to Congress Committees on Small Business for Loan Forgiveness Process (9 July 2020)
• Coalition Letter on  JOBS Credit Act of 2020 (15 June 2020)
• Letter to U.S. Congress Urging COVID-19 Liability Reform (27 May 2020)
• Coalition Letter on Fixes to the Paycheck Protection Program (21 May 2020)
• Letter Requesting U.S. Congress to Cosponsor AG CHAIN Act (12 May 2020)
• Letter to U.S. Congress Supporting Common Sense Liability During the COVID-19 Pandemic (12 May 2020)
• CPG Manufacturing Industries Request for National Guidance (7 May 2020)
• Letter to the U.S. Congress Urging Additional Funding for the PPP an EIDL Programs  (17 April 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)
• Letter to the Trump Administration Calling for Priority Access to Testing for Critical Infrastructure Workers (15 April 2020, National Safety Council)
• Letter to Government Officials on Tax Exemptions for Critical Infrastructure Employees  (3 April 2020, Food Industry Coalition)
• Priority Testing Letter to State, County, and Local Health Officials (30 March 2020)
• Multi Industry DHS CISA Critical infrastructure Support Letter to Elected Officials  (25 March 2020)
• GCCA and CEBA Urge Recognition of Food Construction Facilities as Essential Businesses during Outbreak  (24 March 2020)
• GCCA and Food Industry Partners Urge Recognition of Food Facilities as Essential Businesses during Outbreak  (18 March 2020)

Archived Webinars   

20 May: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )

• 15 April: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 18 March: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 18 February: North America ( Recording.   |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 26 January: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 17 December: North America ( Recording | PDF version )
• 17 September: North America ( Recording | PDF version | Chat Log )
• ​3 September: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 20 August: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 6 August: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 23 July: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 9 July: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 25 June: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 11 June: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 28 May: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version  |  Chat Log )
• 14 May: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version ) 
• 30 April: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version )
• 23 April: North America ( Recording  |  PDF version )
• 17 Abril: Brasil ( Recording  |  PDF version )
• 16 April North America ( Recording  |  PDF version )
• 9 April North America ( Recording  |  PDF version )
• 2 April North America ( Recording  |  PDF version )
• 26 de Marzo Latin America ( Recording  |  PDF version)
• 26 March North America ( Recording  | PDF version)
• 19 March North America ( Recording  | PDF version)

CARES ACT

• The CARES Act Works for All Americans  (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
• Congress Prepares to Act on Latest Coronavirus Response Bill  (22 April 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)

Construction

• COVID-19: Daily Construction News and Resource Tracker (ConstructionDrive) 
• Construction Work Guidelines  (U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
• Coronavirus Construction Limits: State-by-State Tracker (Journal of Light Construction)
• State and Local Policy Updates (Associated Builders and Contractors)​
•          State & Local Construction Status Announcements
• COVID-19 Updates on CDC Guidance - CPWR-NIOSH-OSHA Webinar Series ( Recording | PDF Version ) (17 June 2020)

Critical Infrastructure Designations and Employee Badges

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Identifies Critical Infrastructure During Covid-19
• Food Supply Chain (U.S.) Employee ID Template (IARW/IRTA) PDF version  |  Word version (editable)
• Food Supply Chain (U.S.) Employee ID Template ( CEBA)  PDF version  |  Word version (editable)
• Food Supply Chain (Canada) Employee ID Template (GCCA)  PDF version |  Word version (editable)
• Food Supply Chain (South Africa) Employee ID Template (GCCA)  PDF version |  Word version (editable)
• Plantilla de identificación del empleado de la cadena de suministro de alimentos (GCCA)  Versión PDF  |  Versión de Word (editable)
• Plantilla Gafete para empleados de cadena de suministro México (GCCA)  Versión PDF  |  Versión de Word (editable)
• Plantilla Carta permiso para elaborar trabajo esencial (GCCA)  Versión PDF  |  Versión de Word (editable)

Facility Operations

• Secure Your Chemicals – Before, During, and After a Pandemic (September 2020, CISA)
• Have (or Need) Extra Cold Storage Warehouse Space? (GCCA)
• Food Safety & the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 - Guidance for Food Facilities (US Food & Drug Administration)
• Guidance on Proper Cleaning & Disinfecting of Workplaces (US Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
• 2020 CEBA COVID-19 Cold Chain Business Impact Survey Summary (20 August 2020, GCCA)
• Talking to the Media About a Positive COVID-19 Test at Your Facility (19 August 2020, GCCA)
• Protecting Seafood Processing Workers from COVID-19 Guidance (24 June 2020, US Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
• ​ Key Findings in GCCA's 2020 COVID-19 Cold Chain Business Impact Survey Show Changes Ahead (28 May 2020, GCCA)
• ASHRAE Issues Statements on Relationship Between COVID-19 and HVAC in Buildings (20 April 2020, Refrigeration Industry)

FAQ about Coronavirus

• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) (US Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
• FAO - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
• Interactive Coronavirus Global Dashboard/Map  (Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering)
• Tracking The Pandemic In the United States: Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State? (NPR)
• Global COVID-19 Projections (IHME)
• Will COVID-19 Threaten Availability and Affordability of our Food?  (16 April 2020, U.S. Department of Agriculture)
• U.S. Consumer Survey: COVID-19’s Impact on Food Purchasing, Eating Behaviors and Perceptions of Food Safety (14 April 2020, International Food Information Council Foundation)
• Coronavirus: No Evidence that Food is a Source or Transmission Route (9 March 2020, European Food Safety Authority)

GCCA Speaks Out on Behalf of the Industry

• Campbell’s soup? Canned pumpkin? What’s missing from your grocery store shelves during the pandemic, and why (23 Sept 2020, Cleveland.com)
• Meat and poultry supplies no longer a serious concern, processors and grocers say (7 July 2020, Cleveland.com)
• Covid 19 and the Cold Chain (13 May 2020, The Cold Chain Podcast)
• Podcast: Food Security During a Global Pandemic  (4 May 2020,Hidden Forces)
• See more of GCCA’s media interactions

Human Resources

• Careers in Cold Chain – GCCA Member Career Pages
• JacksonLewis Labor and Employment Law COVID-19 Updates
• CDC Tiered Testing Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Workplaces (U.S. CDC)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Rights Guide   (U.S. Department of Labor)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employer Requirements Guide  (U.S. Department of Labor)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act Q&A (U.S. Department of Labor)
• Proposed Liability Protection Legislation (9 July 2020)
• Treasury, IRS issue guidance on reporting qualified sick and family leave wages paid (8 July 2020, IRS)
• IRS Guidance on Employer Leave-Based Donation Programs (11 June 2020, U.S. Internal Revenue Service)
• New Return to Work Guidelines for Essential Employees Affected by COVID-19 (9 April 2020, CDC)
• FAQ for Your Employees Address COVID-19 in our Workplace (19 March 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)  PDF version  |  Word version (editable)
• Legal Issues in the Wake of COVID-19 ( Recording | Slides ) (15 April 2020, JacksonLewis/GCCA) 
• Coping with Coronavirus: Reinvention and Resilience in Times of Crisis ( Recording | Slides ) (8 April 2020, Chief Exec Coach/GCCA)
• New Partnership to Address Short-Term Cold Chain Staffing Needs  (3 April 2020, GCCA)

PPE and Sanitizer

Distilleries Producing Hand Sanitizer

• Click here to see a List of Distilleries Making Hand Sanitizer to Fight COVID-19  from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
• Click here for a map of Distilleries Making Hand  Sanitizer  from The American Distilling Institute
• Click here for a form letter members can customize  to reach out to these distilleries and make the case for selling the product to you

Possible Facemask Suppliers

• Priority PPE for Food and Agriculture: ( Suppliers )
• Faurecia – SMS clothe gowns and masks ( Information )
• Fortdress America LLC – KN95 masks, sanitizer, face shields, tie closures ( Contact | Information )
• Madison Medical Supplies – Various types of masks, gloves, shields, googles, protective clothing ( Contact | Product information )
• Midland Packaging- Cloth masks and Full Face Shields ( Information )
• PM-Masks – KN95, 100% Cotton and Cloth masks ( Information )
• PrimeGroup – Full face visors ( Information | Order Instructions )
• Rosemarie – Wellness Face Mask ( Information  |  Order Instructions )
• Shaphar Group (UK) - Various types of masks and protective clothing ( Information )
• Whom – Clothe masks and face shields ( Information )

• Canadian suppliers for Personal Protective Equipment during COVID-19
• FAQs about Face Coverings, Surgical Masks and Respirators in the Workplace (10 June 2020, OSHA)
• Considerations for Prioritization PPE Supplies During the COVID-19 Pandemic (22 May 2020, Department of Agriculture)
• Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting (22 April 2022, FEMA)
• Priority PPE for Food and Agriculture: Guidance |  Custom Form Letter (21 April 2020)
• Personal Protective Equipment Preservation Best Practices (17 April 2020, FEMA)
• Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission  (3 April 2020, CDC)
• Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised)  (2 April 2020, US Food & Drug Administration)

United States

 

Environmental Protection Agency

• COVID-19 Implications for EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program: Addendum on Termination (29 June 2020)

Policy

• U.S. Federal and State COVID-19 Policies and Guidance for the Food Industry
• COVID-19 Policy Tracker – State/Local Activity Dashboard
• Track States' Policy Responses to the CoronaVirus  (GovPredict)
• For the latest on state-related legislation and other actions, visit the National Conference of State Legislatures website .
• For the latest updates on restricted travel and other state-specific resources and actions, see the National Governors Association website . 

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

• COVID-19 Resources
• 9 Steps to Reducing Worker Exposure to COVID-19 in Meat, Poultry, and Pork Processing and Packaging Facilities Poster (10 July 2020)
• Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)  (19 May 2020)
• Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)  (19 May 2020)
• Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts  (16 April 2020)

Department of Agriculture

• Joint Statement from USDA and FDA on Food Export Restrictions Pertaining to COVID-19 (24 June 2020) 
• MOU Between FDA and USDA Regarding the Potential Use of the Defense Production Act  (18 May 2020)
• USDA Farmers to Families Food Box (17 April 2020)
• USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program  (17 April 2020)

Food & Drug Administration

• FDA prepares for resumption of domestic inspections with new risk assessment system (10 July 2020)

State Governments

• Virginia Outreach, Education And Training For The COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard  (Virginia Department of Labor and Industry)
• Virginia Final Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic (20 July 2020)
• Virginia Adopts First-in-the-Nation Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic (15 July 2020)

White House

• Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery  (19 May 2020)
• Executive Order for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers  (28 April 2020)

Regional Updates

Asia

• COVID-19 Food & Beverage Impact: Monitoring Updates  (Food Industry Asia and ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance)
• Video: COVID-19 in Central Asia/Вебинар: Сессия вопросов и ответов поставок  ( PDF Slides ) (29 April 2020, GCCA video in Russian)
• Video: COVID-19 in Central Asia/Вебинар: Сессия вопросов и ответов поставок  ( PDF Slides ) (20 April 2020, GCCA video in Russian)
• Video: COVID-19 in Central Asia/Вебинар: Как холодовая цепь реагирует на чрезвычайные ситуации и сбои в цепочке поставок ( PDF slides ) (15 April 2020, GCCA video in Russian)

Australia

• Resources from the Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association of Australia Ltd (RWTA)
• Covidsafe App Launched  (27 April 2020, Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association of Australia Ltd)

Brasil

• Ministério da Saúde
• Lista de legislação federal compilada sobre a pandemia
• Mapa de monitoramento Fiocruz

Canada

• $252M emergency aid package coming for farmers, food processors (5 May 2020, CBC) 
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): CFIA information for industry (Government of Canada) 
• Government of Canada: COVID-19 Updates

Europe

• European Commission’s Coronavirus Response
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Daily Situation Updates
• OSHA Europe Safe Workplace Resources
• European Road Transportation Updates
• Curated COVID-19 Resources for European GCCA Members (28 April 2020)
• State of the European Market in Spring 2020 – Resilience of Cold Chain 3PLs (27 April 2020, GCCA)
• Commission announces exceptional measures to support the agri-food sector (22 April 2020, European Commission)
• Coronavirus: Commission and European Investment Fund (part of EIB Group) unlock €8 billion in finance for 100,000 small and medium-sized businesses (6 April 2020, European Commission)

Global

• Global Government Policies Dashboard

India

• PIB Daily Bulletin on Covid19 matters  (Press Information Bureau Government of India)  
• Lockdown Measures for containment of COVID-19 pandemic in the country (14 April 2020, Press Information Bureau Government of India)

Latin America

• Lineamientos Técnicos de Seguridad Sanitaria en el Entorno laboral  (Gobierno de México)
• Protocolos Sanitarios de empresas de la industria de construcción (Gobierno de México)
• Carteles Útiles de COVID-19 Para Imprimir:  Detenga la Propagación y Síntomas de la Enfermedad (US Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Situación del coronavirus en Latinoamérica (OMS-actualizado diario)
• Nuevos actividades esenciales como la industria de la construcción, la minería y la referente a la fabricación de equipo de transporte, serán consideradas como actividades esenciales  (15 May 2020, SEGOB)

Middle East

• كوفيد – 19 وسلامة العاملين داخل المنشأت  إرشادات ونصائح من التحالف الدولى لسلاسل التبريد ( PDF Slides )(17 June 2020, GCCA video in Arabic)

 

South Africa

• Latest Regulations and Agriculture Sector Updates (Agri SA)
• President Cyril Ramaphosa - Further Economic and Social Measures in Response to the COVID-19 Epidemic (21 April 2020, The Presidency of Republic of South Africa)

Reopening Business

• OSHA Return to Work Guidance (U.S. Department of Labor)
• Healthy Workplaces Stop the Pandemic (OSHA Europe)
• B ack to Work Safely Guides – Construction, Office, Warehouse – English and Spanish (American Industrial Hygiene Association)
• Interactive Coronavirus (Covid-19) Travel Regulations Map (International Air Transport Association)
• Best Practices for Returning to the Physical Workplace  | Checklist  (Cushman & Wakefield)
• COVID-19 State Reopening Guide (Multistate)
• State-by-State Business Reopening Guidance (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
• Opening Up America Again Guidelines  (White House/CDC)
• Open for Business: Operationalizing Applicable COVID-19 Legal Obligations and Guidance ( Slides | Recording ) (29 July 2020, JacksonLewis)
  Considerations for Food Sector Continuity in a Reopening Economy  (8 May 2020, The Food Industry Association)
• SBLC Webinar: Returning Employees to Work After COVID-19 ( Recording  |  Slides (GCCA login required)(7 May 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)
• Returning Employees to Work After COVID-19 (7 May 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)

Security and Risk

• COVID-19 Cyber Risk Update (13 March 2020, Lockton Cyber Technology Practice)

Small Business Resources

• COVID-19 Relief: Payroll Taxes and Unemployment (13 August 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (U.S. Small Business Administration)
• Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus  (U.S. Small Business Administration) 
• Save Small Business Fund – Helping small employers  (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
• Small Business Coronavirus Relief Options  (U.S. Small Business Administration)
• Paycheck Protection Program
• EIDL Loan Advance
• SBA Express Bridge Loans
• SBA Debt Relief
• IRS provides guidance on recapturing excess employment tax credits (27 July 2020, IRS)
• Trump signs PPP extension (4 July 2020, The Hill)
• Extension of application deadline for PPP small business loans (30 June 2020, The Hill)
• New EZ and Revised Full Forgiveness Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (17 June 2020, U.S. Small Business Administration)
• The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act ( 5 June 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)
• U.S. Senate Passes Bill Modifying PPP Loan Forgiveness Program  (3 June 2020, Roll Call)
• SBA Releases PPP Loan Forgiveness Application  (19 May 2020, Small Business Legislative Council)
• IRS: Three New Credits are Available to Many Businesses Hit by COVID-19  ( 7 May 2020, IRS)

Transportation

• American Trucking Association COVID-19 Update Hub
• IRU COVID-19 International Updates
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources
• COVID-19 Intelligence Impact Heatmap Truck Spot Rates  (FTR Transportation Intelligence) 
• MAERSK: Keep your business moving during the COVID-19 situation
• FMCSA Extends Hours of Service Relief but Removes Food Transportation From the Declaration (8 June 2020)
• Exemption to Extend the Expiration Date of Certain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (10 April 2020)
• Tips for Cleaning and Sanitizing Truck Cabs (31 March 2020, Truckinginfo) 
• WTO, UN, WHO Joint Statement to Keep Food Trade Flowing in Response to COVID-19 (31 March 2020, World Trade Organization)