Crisis Management Plans
National Watermelon Promotion Board: Crisis Plan
In response to the increasing incidence of food-borne illness in the produce industry, the National Watermelon Promotion Board has enhanced and expanded their crisis communications program to assist the industry in dealing with virtually any crisis.
Crisis Communications
N.C. MarketReady has developed crisis communications resources and hands-on materials to help growers be prepared for and handle a crisis situation, which might include an outbreak of a food-borne illness, a workplace accident or a natural disaster.
Crisis Communication Training Resources
N.C. MarketReady Crisis Preparedness Training (PDF) (Word)
N.C. MarketReady coordinated the development of this document to provide crisis communications templates that can be used by agricultural entities. Each agricultural organization (growers, shippers, commodity boards) has the ability to customize these crisis communications templates with specific details regarding their operations. While each group will have its own unique challenges, this document acts as a guide from which a crisis program may be put into place.
Working with the News Media
The resources in this section were developed as part of the N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety training curriculum. They are intended to help Extension agents and growers work with the media during times of crisis as well as proactively prepare to deal with crises before they occur.
Developing a Message Map
A key step in effective media communications is to develop clear and concise messages that address key audiences’ questions and concerns. A message map allows an operation to develop and organize key talking points about the business in advance of a crisis.
Making Your Point: A Media Relations Checklist
Growers and Extension agents should use this checklist when preparing for a media interview. Included are tips, questions and guidelines to help communicate the operation’s messages.
Media Basics: When a Reporter Calls
Preparation is the key to becoming comfortable with media calls and interviews. These tips should help prepare Extension agents and growers to work effectively with reporters.
8 Questions the Media Always Ask
There are certain questions the media will almost always ask when covering a food-related crisis. Be prepared when the media calls by developing responses to the questions in this document in advance.
Extension agents can find additional materials, including the full N.C. Cooperative Extension and N.C. State University crisis communication plans, in the Agent Resources section.
Growers and others can contact a local Cooperative Extension agent with questions or for more information.
