03/27/20

Covid-19 Lakeside Organic Gardens’ procedures and safety.

March 27th, 2020

Lakeside Organic Gardens

Watsonville, CA 95076

 

KEEPING YOU SAFE

These are very uncertain times. Please know we are all working together to ensure the well-being of our customers, community, and employees. We have taken the last couple weeks to re-strategize how we can be your responsible safe, grower/shipper within the confines of our current day situation. Your health is our main priority.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING:

Employee Safety and Community Support:

1. Employees who call in sick due to cold or flu-like symptoms are instructed to seek medical attention and provide documentation before returning to work.
2. Employees who come to work with flu-like symptoms will be sent home and will be required to have a doctor’s note before being allowed to return to work.
3. Managers, Supervisors, and Foremen are required to check and assess daily employees who are not showing cold or flu-like symptoms during work hours.
4. We have increased our produce donations to our local food banks and support services during this time of need.

 

Social Distancing:

1. Employees are instructed not to gather in groups of more than ten at any given time.
2. Employees are instructed to try to keep a distance of at least 6 feet from each other when possible.
3. Truckers’ lounge and employee break rooms are closed, and employees are encouraged to eat at a responsible “social distancing” environment either outside or in their vehicles.
4. Office break rooms and conference rooms are kept at small group sizes at all times and are sanitized between each meeting.
5. Notification before entering areas of large administrative areas is required.
6. No more than 3 people are allowed at the front desk at any given time.

 

Crew Safety:

1. When possible, employees will maintain a 6-foot distance during harvesting.
2. The safety of our crew is our utmost importance out in the field; a bleach spray mixture is applied on all touchpoints field sanitary units.
3. All Lakeside toilets are fitted and refilled with soap, water, and hand sanitizer. Our toilets are specifically designed for field crews which means extra capacity hand wash tanks and multiple soap dispensers per unit.
4. Employees are required to maintain a social distance of 6 feet while eating their lunch unless they are in their vehicles.
5. Employees are encouraged not to share any food.

Lakeside’s Owner/Grower Dick Peixoto meets daily with Operations Manager Juan Gonzalez, CFO Marie Crandell and H.R./Benefits/Safety Manager Josie Rotter on a regular basis to discuss the newest updates on the Coronavirus and new government policies.

Our Harvest Manager Jorge Hernandez, with the support of the HR Manager, has personally met with our employees and implemented the above policies and continuously educating them on the prevention of contracting the virus, personal hygiene, and social distancing.

Our Safety Coordinator Mia Garcia has been diligent in posting information from the CDC throughout the company on the prevention of getting the coronavirus, hand washing requirements and preventing the spread of the virus.

Our Food Safety Manager Gary Waugaman has added staff members to our sanitation department so they can sanitize door handles and high traffic surfaces on a regular basis, daily. Our food-safety specialist is doing documented weekly crew inspections including all the hygiene requirements.

Lakeside’s Sanitation Department being trained on enhanced Food Safety requirements.

PLEASE BE REASSURED, THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF US ALL.

STAY POSITIVE. STAY SAFE. Thank you for your continued support. 

Lakeside Organic Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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