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Survey: 65 percent of Ohio’s food supply system has been hurt by COVID-19

About 65 percent of those involved in Ohio’s food supply system have been negatively or very negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey.

The Farm, Food, and Agribusiness COVID-19 Impact Survey, distributed by Ohio Farm Bureau and some other ag groups, collected more than 1,000 surveys to see what concerns are facing agriculture.

Forty-five percent of survey respondents have had market distribution channels disrupted, Nearly 30 percent reported cash flow issues, and almost 15 percent said they cannot access sanitation and protective equipment required to operate.

Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp says the survey is a real-time snapshot of what the state’s ag community is experiencing. He says even though everyone along the food supply chain is essential and work continues, there is still more work to do to make sure they keep the system moving in the right direction.

Vice President of Public Policy Yvonne Lesicko says the information from the survey will help OFBF continue to work with USDA to ensure it is allocating funds where they’re needed the most and it will help leaders find solutions for market disruptions.