Pandemics have long been a part of human history. What is novel about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is the speed with which it has affected people and the knowledge now shared around the globe. Consider how rapidly we are informed of the intensity, spread and global reach of the virus, how researchers and medical professionals worldwide collaborate to find answers—and how we have seen people around the world find new and inspiring ways to help each other thrive in the face of adversity.

I would like to share information about how the World Vegetable Center is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Our response focuses on two important priorities:

• the health and safety of our staff, partners, and beneficiaries; and
• continuing to advance our mission of creating healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods through greater diversity in what we grow and eat.

Taking Action for Health and Safety

• Our response team has been activated and meets regularly to monitor the situation and take action as needed.
• Staff in each WorldVeg office practice social distancing and stringent hand-washing and hygiene. Staff business travel has been curtailed.
• Each office follows local government regulations regarding closure and travel restrictions.
• Some conferences and training sessions have been postponed. Please check our website for the latest updates: worldveg.org
• Meetings and seminars are shifting to videoconferences.
• We’re sharing information with beneficiaries and partners by text messaging, email, video, and social media.

What about you?

• If you are spending some unexpected time at home (!), there’s no better time to begin planting a home garden. A vegetable garden brings peace of mind in two ways: It is calming work to tend vegetable crops, and the knowledge that some fresh food will be available at home can go a long way toward alleviating anxiety about the reliability of the food supply. WorldVeg offers hundreds of production guides to get you started.

• If you do not have space or access to land, try a sack garden, or grow vegetables in containers. Leafy vegetables such as amaranth, lettuce and spinach grow quickly, can be harvested several times, and provide the essential important nutrients you and your family need to stay healthy.

• Visit HARVEST, the WorldVeg Document and Data archive, where you can download the latest research articles, how-to guides, and much more.

• Stop by the WorldVeg YouTube channel and learn how to graft tomato seedlings or build a Zero Energy Cooling Chamber. Or watch the inspiring story of Djalé, a village in Mali whose residents work together to grow a healthier community through activities with WorldVeg and USAID.

• As always, we will continue to provide you with news updates in Fresh, the WorldVeg newsletter. And if you aren’t already, follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@go_vegetables)!

Our collective actions will slow the progress of the virus and save lives. Please take precautions to keep yourself, your family, and community safe.

All the best,

Marco Wopereis
Director General
World Vegetable Center