b'to our farm for like 14 years now, Katie Campbell with Spurr Brothers Farm, says in a phone inter-view. These guys have developed quite a huge list of skills that you cant just train somebody overnight with.To stop the spread of COVID-19, Canada closed borders and embassies internationally. Originally temporary foreign workers were not going to be allowed in, but the government quickly changed its tune and decided to allow them asPotatoes arelong as they completed 14-day quarantines uponreceived at McCain Foods arrival. In New Brunswick, the government didntplants. McCain is still buying allow temporary foreign workers to enter until theits 2019 contracted crop in end of May.Canada, some of it is being Farms across Canada scrambled to preparesold through alternative markets at a loss forfacilities for quarantine. Employees rushed tothe food processor. rebook flights and sort out paperwork, which wasPHOTO: MCCAIN FOODShindered by embassies and other offices being closed in their home countries. To help farms with costs, the federal government launched a program where they would pay $1,500 per employee to cover costs related to quarantine. So far Campbell has been able to get 12 of her temporary foreign workers here. They are still waiting on six more who have struggled to complete the required paperwork and have their work visas approved due to closed offices in their home countries.Even in their countries as well, they would have different protocols in place too, Campbell explains. So, it has been a few more hiccups than normal for getting these guys here. Fresh potatoesWorkers have arrived weeks behind scheduleharvested in 2019 at which has forced Spurr Brothers to revise theirSpurr Brothers Farm in the work plans and delay annual tasks such asAnnapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. The fruit and vegetable pruning of all of their fruit trees. Overall thoughfarm is struggling this yeartheyve been able to make it through, but Camp- as they rely on temporary bell is worried about how long these protocols willforeign workers. PHOTO: KATIE CAMPBELLlast and what affect they will have on harvest.Were trying to adapt as best as we can. Everything always has its effects to it. Its just sometimes you dont always know exactly howI think weve been encouraged, Dawe says.once saw without events like those, MacIsaac says. long term this will affect us, Campbell says. There has been a long period of very strongBut I cant predict any further ahead than that.retail demand, and the spike in North AmericanFor farmers theyll continue along as they al-PANDEMIC LEGACY retail has lasted long than it did in Europe andways do, caring for this years crop and harvesting The recovery wont just happen overnight, andelsewhere with pantry loading. it, hoping the future will be better.the potato industry is wondering what the newQuestions still linger about how reducedWell just have to react accordingly, Van normal will be. restaurant capacities and other restriction ease- Boom says. Not desirable, but hey when its French fry sales are rebounding faster thanments will affect potato product sales. With largesomething this big and the scope of whats going expected across North America as restaurantsevents such as concerts, festivals and sportingon here, its just something youve got to do.begin to reopen. At McCain they were able to findevents off the table for the time being, french fryFor more coverage on the pandemic and its support from their retail segment which sawsales will still be down.effects on the potato industry please visit our strong sales throughout the lockdown. It likely will not be back to the level that wewebsite at SpudSmart.com. SUMMER 2020 SPUDSMART.COM 9'