The following resources provide best practices for preparing for COVID-19 and managing risk for individuals at home and for food environments such as restaurants, grocery stores, food banks, gardens and farms. These resources are based on guidance and best practices as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO) and the best available science. All items are peer reviewed by an expert panel, and many are translated into Spanish. The resources  on this page are all current but check back frequently for any additional updates to the guidance.

• CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) COVID-19 Response in North Carolina
• NC State University Coronavirus Response

Home and Community

Infosheets - English

General

• SARS-CoV-2 Virus Transmission (8.07.20)
• Hand Hygiene (4.16.20)
• Homemade Hand Sanitizer (3.30.20) - Small scale recipe from World Health Organization formulation
• Preparing for an Outbreak in Your Community (3.16.20)
• What to Do if You are Sick (4.04.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfection (3.16.20)
• Basic Food Safety (Created 4.08.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting (4.16.20)

Food Safety, Dining Out and Grocery Shopping

• Is COVID-19 a Food Safety Issue? (3.17.20)
• Is Coronavirus a Concern with Takeout? (3.23.20)
• Is Coronavirus a Concern at the Grocery Store? (4.16.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Reusable Bags (3.26.20)
• Shopping and Handling Groceries (4.16.20)

Bulk Meat Sales

• Food Safety and Bulk Poultry Sales (Created 4.17.20; Updated 4.22.21)
• Food Safety and Bulk Beef Sales (Created 4.17.20; Updated 4.22.21)
• Food Safety and Bulk Pork Sales (Created 4.17.20; Updated 4.22.21)

Masks and Face Coverings

• Masks and Face Coverings (Created 4.09.20; Reviewed 1.24.22)
• Masks and Face Coverings for Food Employees (Created 4.09.20; Reviewed 1.24.22)

Social Media Images - English

General

• Hand Hygiene (4.16.20)
• Homemade Hand Sanitizer (3.30.20) - Small scale recipe from World Health Organization formulation
• Preparing for an Outbreak in Your Community (3.16.20)
• What to Do if You are Sick (4.02.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfection (3.16.20)
• Coronavirus Defense (3.20.20)
• Disinfectants, UV Light and Heat for Virus Inactivation (4.24.20)
• Basic Food Safety (5.14.20)
• Delivering Food to Others (5.14.20)
• Receiving Food from Others (5.14.20)
• Sharing Food with Others (5.14.20)

Food Safety, Dining Out and Grocery Shopping

• Is Coronavirus a Concern with Takeout? (3.23.20)
• Is Coronavirus a Concern at the Grocery Store? (3.20.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Reusable Bags (3.26.20)
• Grocery Shopping - Top Tips (3.31.20)
• Grocery Shopping - Minimizing Risk (3.31.20)
• Grocery Shopping - Handling Groceries (3.31.20)
• Grocery Shopping - Delivery (4.01.20)
• Washing Produce (Created 4.06.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Could Eating Fresh Produce Cause COVID-19? (Created 4.06.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Fresh Produce Top Tips (Created 4.06.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)

Bulk Meat Sales

• Bulk Poultry Sales (Created 4.24.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)

Cloth Face Coverings

• Masks and Cloth Face Coverings (Created 5.14.20; Reviewed 1.24.22)
• Handling Cloth Face Coverings (Created 5.14.20; Reviewed 1.24.22)
• How Should Masks and Face Coverings Be Worn? (Created 5.14.20; Reviewed 1.24.22)

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Bleach as a Disinfectant (5.14.20)
• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting (5.14.20)
• How to Clean and Disinfect a Home (5.14.20)
• How to Clean and Disinfect Hard Surfaces (5.14.20)
• How to Clean and Disinfect Soft Surfaces (5.14.20)
• How to Clean and Disinfect Electronics (5.14.20)
• How to Clean and Disinfect Laundry (5.14.20)
• Clean Up After an Individual (5.14.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Top Tips (5.14.20)

Mass Food Distribution

• Planning a Mass Food Distribution (Created 8.4.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Preparing and Packing for a Mass Food Distribution (Created 8.4.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Delivering for Mass Food Distribution (Created 8.4.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Mass Food Distribution Checklist (Created 8.4.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)
• Mass Food Distribution Checklist (Black and white printable version, Created 8.4.20; Reviewed 4.22.21)

Infosheets - Spanish / Hojas en Español

General

• La transmisión del Coronavirus 2 del Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo siglas en inglés: SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2 Virus Transmission, 8.07.20)
• Lavese Las Manos Frecuentemente (Clean Your Hands Often, 5.14.20)
• Desinfectante de Manos Hecho en Casa (Homemade Hand Sanitizer, 3.31.20)
• Como Prepararse Contra un Brote en su Comunidad (Preparing for an Outbreak in Your Community, 3.18.20)
• ¿Que Hacer si Esta a Enfermo? (What to Do if You are Sick, 3.18.20)
• Limpiando y Disinfectando (Cleaning and Disinfection, 3.18.20)

Revestimientos Faciales de Tela

• Haciendo Tapabocas de Tela (Do-It-Yourself Cloth Face Coverings, 4.24.20)
• Pañuelos para Protegerse la Cara (Bandanas as Cloth Face Coverings, 4.24.20)
• Tapabocas de Tela Para Empleados que Trabajan con Alimentos (Cloth Face Coverings for Food Employees 5.29.20)
• Como Utilizar Cubiertas Faciales (How to Use Cloth Face Coverings 5.29.20
• Tapabocas y Cubiertas Faciales de Tela (Facemasks and Cloth Face Coverings 5.29.20)

Inocuidad de los Alimentos, Salir a Cenar y Hacer Compras

• ¿Es el Coronavirus un Problema de Seguridad en los Alimentos? (Is COVID-19 a Food Safety Issue?, 4.01.20)
• ¿Me Debo Preocupar del Coronavirus y la Comida Para Llevar? (Is Coronavirus a Concern with Takeout? 3.25.20)
• ¿Me Debo Preocupar del Coronavirus Cuando Voy al Supermercado? (Is Coronavirus a Concern at the Grocery Store? 5.14.20)
• Lavando y Desinfectando Bolsas Reutilizables (Cleaning and Disinfecting Reusable Bags, 4.09.20)

Social Media Images - Spanish / Imágenes en Español

General

• Lavese Las Manos Frecuentemente (Clean Your Hands Often, 5.14.20)
• Desinfectante de Manos Hecho en Casa (Homemade Hand Sanitizer, 3.31.20)
• Como Prepararse Contra un Brote en su Comunidad (Preparing for an Outbreak in Your Community, 3.18.20)
• ¿Que Hacer si Esta a Enfermo? (What to Do if You are Sick, 3.18.20)
• Limpiando y Disinfectando (Cleaning and Disinfection, 3.18.20)
• Pañuelos Para Protegerse La Cara (Bandanas as Cloth Face Coverings, 8.28.20)

Inocuidad de los Alimentos, Salir a Cenar y Hacer Compras

• ¿Es el Coronavirus un Problema de Seguridad en los Alimentos? (Is COVID-19 a Food Safety Issue?, 3.31.20)
• ¿Me Debo Preocupar del Coronavirus y la Comida Para Llevar? (Is Coronavirus a Concern with Takeout? 3.25.20)
• ¿Me Debo Preocupar del Coronavirus Cuando Voy al Supermercado? (Is Coronavirus a Concern at the Grocery Store? 5.14.20)
• Lavando y Desinfectando Bolsas Reutilizables (Cleaning and Disinfecting Reusable Bags, 4.09.20)
• Limpiando las Frutas y Verduras (Washing Produce, 4.17.20)

Limpieza y Desinfección

• Cloro Como Desinfectante (Bleach as a Disinfectant 5.29.20)
• Comom Limpiar y Desinfectar Superficies (How to Clean and Disinfect Hard Surfaces 5.29.20)
• Como Limipiar Desinfectar Electronicos (How to Clean and Disinfect Electronics 5.29.20)

Infosheets - Mandarin

General

• 冠状病毒是⻝品安全问题吗 (Is Coronavirus a Food Safety Issue?, 5.14.20)

• ⾃⼰动⼿做布⼝罩 (Do-It-Yourself Cloth Face Coverings, 5.14.20)

• 冠状病毒会在超市会成为担⼼吗？(Is Coronavirus a Concern at the Grocery Store?, 5.14.20)

• 处理⽣鲜⻝物时，是否应该担⼼冠状病毒？(Is Coronavirus a Concern with Fresh Produce?,5.14.20)

• 冠状病毒是否会为外带⻝品造成问题？(Is Coronavirus a Concern with Takeout?,5.14.20)

• ⽣病了该怎么办 (What to Do If Sick,5.14.20)

Online Resources

• NCDHHS, FAQs
• NCDHHS, COVID-19: Individuals and Families
• NCDHHS, Community Events and Large Groups
• EPA, List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
• CDC, How to Remove Gloves
• NC State Extension, Health Care Powers of Attorney

Retail Food Environments and Farms

Foodservice Infosheets

• General FAQs and Employee Health (Created 4.16.20; Reviewed 4.22.2021)
• Cleaning and Disinfection (3.26.20)
• Receiving and Food Packaging (3.18.20)
• Is COVID-19 a Food Safety Issue? (3.17.20)
• Masks and Face Coverings for Food Employees (Created 4.09.20; Reviewed 1.24.22)

Hojas Informativas del Servicio de Alimentos

• Preguntas Generales y Salud de Los Empleados (General FAQs and Employee Health, 5.14.20)
• Limpiando y Deinfectando (Cleaning and Disinfection, 3.31.20)
• Recepcion de Alimentos y Sus Empaques (Receiving and Food Packaging, 3.31.20)
• ¿Es el Coronavirus un Problema de Seguridad en los Alimentos? (Is COVID-19 a Food Safety Issue?, 4.01.20)

Foodservice Infosheets - Haitian Creole

• MAS AN TWAL POU ANPLWAYE KI NAN SEKTÈ ALIMANTÈ (Cloth Face Coverings with Food Employees, 4.21.2020)  

Grocery Store Infosheets

• General FAQs and Employee Health (4.16.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfection (3.26.20)
• Receiving and Food Packaging (3.18.20)
• Is Coronavirus a Concern at the Grocery Store? (3.20.20)
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Reusable Bags (3.26.20)

Hojas Informativas de la Tienda de Comestibles

• Preguntas Generales y Salud de Lo Empleados (General FAQs and Employee Health,5.14.20)
• Limpiando y Desinfectando (Cleaning and Disinfection, 3.31.20)
• Recepcion de Alimentos y Sus Empaques (Receiving and Food Packaging, 3.31.20)

Food Bank Infosheets

• Best Practices and Communication (4.16.20)
• Receiving Food and Cleaning (3.26.20)
• Open Letter to Food Donation and Recovery Networks. (3.17.20)

Hojas Informativas del Banco de Alimentos

• Mejores Practicas y Comunicacion (Best Practices and Communication,(5.14.20)
• Recepcion de Alimentos y Limpieza (Receiving Food and Cleaning, 3.31.20)

Farms, Gardens and Produce Infosheets

Farming and Direct to Consumer Sales

• Preventing the Spread (5.14.20)
• Handling COVID-19 at Farmers' Markets (4.16.20)
• Handling COVID-19 at U-Pick Farms (4.16.20)
• Guidance for Farm Stands (4.16.20)
• Guidance for Produce Farms and Packinghouses (4.16.20)
• Guidance for Agribusiness (4.16.20)
• Cloth Face Coverings for Food Employees (4.09.20)
• Bandanas as Cloth Face Coverings (4.09.20)

Gardening and Produce

• Handling COVID-19 at Community Gardens (4.16.20)
• Is Coronavirus a Concern with Fresh Produce? (4.16.20)
• Is Coronavirus an Issue in Produce Production? (4.16.20)

Farms, Gardens and Produce Social Media Images

• Washing Produce (Created 4.06.20; Reviewed 4.22.20)
• Could Eating Fresh Produce Cause COVID-19? (4.06.20)
• Fresh Produce Top Tips (4.06.20)
• Social Distancing at the Farmers' Market (4.06.20)

Cultivar, Jardines y Producir Hojas Informativas

Agricultura y Venta Directa al Consumidor

• COVID-19: Preguntas Frecuentes Para Mercados Locales Agricolas (Handling COVID-19 at Farmers' Markets, 5.14.20)
• COVID-19: Preguntas Frecuentes en Granjas de Recoleccion Directa de Producto (Handling COVID-19 at U-Pick Farms, 5.14.20)
• Medidas Para Operadores de Puestos Agricolas (Handling COVID-19 at Farm Stands, 4.09.20)
• Granjas de Frutas y Verduras, y Empacadoras (Guidance for Produce Farms and Packinghouses 5.29.20)
• Majores Practicas Para Agronegocios (Guidance for Agribusiness 5.29.20)

Jardinería y Productos

• COVID-19: Preguntas Frecuentes Para Huertas Comunitarias (Handling COVID-19 at Community Gardens, 5.14.20)
• ¿Me Debo Preocupar Coronavirus en las Frutas y Verduas? (Is Coronavirus a Concern with Fresh Produce?, 5.14.20)
•  ¿Puede ser el Coronavirus un Problema en la Produccion de Frutas o Verduas? (Is Coronavirus an Issue in Produce Production?, 5.14.20)

Farms, Gardens and Produce Infosheets - Haitian Creole

• PI BON PRATIK POU AGRIBIZNIS (Guidance on Agribusiness, 4.21.2020)

Retail Signs

• Please Don't Shop While Sick - Red (3.30.20)
• Please Don't Shop While Sick - Blue (3.30.20)
• Please Don't Shop While Sick - Green (3.30.20)
• Please Don't Shop While Sick - Grey (3.30.20)

Online Resources

• FDA, Employee Health and Food Safety Checklist for Human and Animal Food Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• CDC, Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
• FDA, Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• North Carolina Food Innovation Lab, News and Events
• EPA, List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
• EPA, Drinking Water and Waste Water

Ben Chapman, PhD | benjamin_chapman@ncsu.edu, 919.515.8099

FoodCoVNET Team | food-cov-net@ncsu.edu 

Materials copyright NC State University. If interested in cobranding for your organization, please contact Natalie Seymour.