COVID-19 Resources For Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Businesses
As we process the ever-changing information and implications of COVID-19, the Center of Excellence remains committed to providing updated tools and resources to help food and beverage entrepreneurs and companies and agriculture-related businesses navigate today’s uncertain economic climate while preparing for future growth and development.
We will continue to provide updates as new information and resources become available and encourage you to contact us directly should you have specific questions or require additional support.
New York State COVID-19 Health Information
Financial Resources
- Small Business Adminstration Disaster Assistance: The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. Information on the program, how to apply, and a webinar can be found on ESD’s website located here: https://esd.ny.gov/resource-guide-covid-19-sba-disaster-loans.
- U.S. Small Business Administration: “COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources”
- NSF Rapid Response Research (RAPID): NSF encourages the research community to respond to this challenge through existing funding opportunities. In addition, we invite researchers to use the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) funding mechanism, which allows NSF to receive and review proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment as well as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events.
- Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
NYS Department of Labor
- NYS Department of Labor Resources for Unemployment: New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines. Click here for a step-by-step process to file an unemployment claim online.
- NYS Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Information: Guidance that address the immediate need of employees affected by COVID-19 who are subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation.
Empire State Development
- Empire State Development: “Novel Coronavirus FAQ for Businesses”: Empire State Development (ESD) has created this FAQ to offer information to businesses regarding State regulations and general guidance related to the coronavirus. https://esd.ny.gov/novel-coronavirus-faq-businesses
NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
- The NYS Tax Department has issued information for families regarding income tax and other tax returns https://www.tax.ny.gov/press/alerts/nys-tax-response-to-covid-19.htm, and for businesses about abatement of penalties and interest for sales and use taxes https://www.tax.ny.gov/press/alerts/sales-tax-relief-for-covid-19.htm
Business Operations Resources
- Food Industry Resources for COVID-19 (Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University): The Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University has created a comprehensive, practical, and convenient website for food processors to ensure safe food handling during the pandemic. Learn more.
- Center for Regional Economic Advancement at Cornell University empowers people to start and grow new ventures https://crea.cornell.edu/covid-19-resources/
- Communications Planning Tool for Businesses from Cornell University: As your business makes essential changes during the COVID-19 crisis, what is the best way to communicate with employees, customers, and others? Download the linked template for planning your communications. Read more: “Communication Planning: A Template for Organizational Change.”
- Creating and Selling Gift Cards: Many businesses use electronic point-of-sale (POS) systems, and those vendors often operate their own gift card systems/programs. Many small businesses use Square or Shopify, both of which have resources linked above. The same vendors offer support for selling products or services online. These resources can be integrated into your existing website.
- Guidance from your State Liquor Authority: Review the evolving guidelines from your State Liquor Authority: “Guidance on Restrictions for Licensees and To-Go & Delivery Sales in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak.”
- National Restaurant Association Resources: To ensure that restaurants have the latest information about COVID-19, the National Restaurant Association has created industry-specific guidance for owners and operators and compiled actionable resources available for download. Learn more here.
- Resources for Working Remotely: Zufall Communications has compiled a list of tools and resources to assist companies with rapidly enabling their employees to work from home.
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC): SBDC counselors are available to support businesses in planning and response efforts to COVID-19 and may make referrals to funding sources to support you during an economic downturn. Find your local Center here.
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Resiliency Resources
- Cornell SC Johnson School of Business Connected Conversations: A series of events hosted by The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business discussing how to keep employees engaged, digital currencies in uncertain times, and embracing the uncertainty of the future. Attending the Zoom conversations is free of charge.
- NVCA Response to COVID-19: Coronavirus Information and Resources for VCs and Startups
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Save Small Business Fund
- Specialty Food Association Webinar Series: A series of webinars in which experts address the challenges facing those in specialty food.
- Lunch Specials: Food and Ag Innovation Webinar Series: A series of webinars from Grow-NY on Food and Ag innovation.
Employer/Employee Resources
- EEOC Guidance on “What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19”: The EEOC enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act, including the requirement for reasonable accommodation and rules about medical examinations and inquiries. The ADA and Rehabilitation Act rules continue to apply, but they do not interfere with or prevent employers from following the guidelines and suggestions made by the CDC or state/local public health authorities about steps employers should take regarding COVID-19. Employers should remember that guidance from public health authorities is likely to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Therefore, employers should continue to follow the most current information on maintaining workplace safety.
- Helpful Recruitment Marketing Resources: Talent acquisition departments across all industries are having to adjust. Here are some resources to help companies shift to virtual interviews and hiring events or ramp up hiring in sectors such as healthcare or the gig economy.
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing the Workplaces for Coronavirus
- U.S. Department of Labor Resources: Includes guidance on workplace safety, wages, hours, leave, and unemployment insurance. The U.S. Department of Labor has released a FAQ page on “COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Act.”
- FuzeHub Quick Start Guide to Remote Work: Many companies are looking to manage their operations remotely for the time being. In many countries and in some parts of the United States, non-essential personal are required to stay home in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Employees and managers can find effective ways to work from home in this guide.
Upstate Capital
- Upstate NY Resources for the Investment Community: Upstate Capital connects investors and entrepreneurs to resources in these unprecedented times. The organization has outlined COVID-19 information that investors may find helpful.