COVID-19 Resources

See below for a variety of resources available for you during this time of hardship.

BC Food and Beverage Protecting our People Program

BC Food & Beverage is very proud to announce the launch of the Protecting Our People program, which provides access to PPE for the food & beverage production, seafood and agriculture sectors located in BC through an online ordering form. The program carries inventory of a small range of essential PPE items such as KN95 masks, disposable procedural masks and gloves, and they are exploring face shields and reusable masks and potentially hand sanitizers. BCFB will monitor orders closely to make additional supplies as demand warrants.

The PPE Ordering Form is now set up and ready for placing pre-orders, with PPE supplies available to be shipped from their BC warehouse next week. BCFB procured supplies from reliable, established suppliers with a demonstrated ability to provide quality supplies at competitive prices, as well as the ability to physically inspect orders at the manufacturers and again when arriving in BC.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): COVID-19 Tip Sheets for Food Processing, Restaurants and Food Services

CCOHS is offering free tip sheets as guidance while operating during a pandemic, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Each document offers health and safety tips and good practices, for both employers and workers, specific to each industry or sector. Organizations and businesses can adopt this guidance to protect their workers and prevent the spread of infections.

To access the tip sheets, please click here

This link allows businesses to post pandemic-related good practices and resources for other businesses developing business continuity plans.

For more health and safety fact sheets related to COVID-19, please click here.

Food Processing Skills Canada Online Courses

Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC) has two online courses they have made available to specifically support food and beverage manufacturers during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Both courses - “Managing the Virtual Workforce” and “National Sanitation Training Program” can be accessed within the Canadian Food Processors Institute at no cost by using the code FPSChelps at checkout.
Cost: Free (use code FPSChelps at checkout)

Small Business BC: BC Business COVID-19 Support Service

Small Business BC recently launched a new COVID-19 support service page as a single point of contact for BC businesses looking for information on the various government COVID-19 resources. Small Business BC advisors can be reached directly through this page, and can help you navigate through the various support services.
To access the page, please click here
To contact Small Business BC, please call 1-833-254-4357, or send an email at covid@smallbusinessbc.ca

Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC): Information and Tips on COVID-19

Keeping up to date with COVID-19 details and recommended protocols is challenging for everyone at this time. CAHRC is here to help. We have created a dedicated webpage with the latest information, recommendations, employee management tips, tools (posters, policies) and links to authorities. We will also continue to share relevant news articles through our Newsfeed. These details will help you respond to the pandemic and limit the impact and spread of COVID-19 within your business.
To access this page, please click here

Go2HR: Job Board for the Agriculture and Food Processing Sector

The HR organization - Go2HR - which serves BC’s tourism and hospitality sectors, has opened up their jobs board to include available opportunities from the agriculture and food processing sector.
Interested employers can register for an account at: www.go2HR.ca which will then allow them to post job postings at no cost.
To register, please click here

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – COVID-19: Questions and Answers

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and its impacts on the Canadian agricultural industry. The Government of Canada is taking the necessary steps to ensure that producers and processors can continue to operate effectively and keep supply lines open, while informing industry of the latest developments. As the COVID-19 situation develops, AAFC will continually update the Questions and Answers for Industry page. This page contains questions and answers to particular issues, as well as a series of related links at the bottom of the page.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency – COVID-19: Information for industry

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is working diligently to address the challenges and concerns raised by industry and consumers regarding COVID-19. For industry updates, please visit Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Information for industry.

Additional Information on the Implications of COVID-19 for Your Business

For any updates and further information on the implications of COVID-19 for your business, including key considerations related to your employees, finances, travel, and business in international markets, please consult: Resources for Canadian businesses: COVID-19.
Please note that municipal, provincial and territorial governments may offer additional supports. A number of our 16 federal partners and agencies are also offering special services and supports, including Business Development Canada.

Innovation Canada recently launched a new page with COVID-19 programs. New programs will be added to this page, and will be kept up to date.