BARRIE -- As a result of COVID-19, several countries have suspended flights and travel for the safety of the public. However, it has left many industries struggling to operate.

The local farming industry relies heavily on migrant workers, especially farms located in the Holland Marsh.

Eek Farms relies heavily on its workers who work during the farming season from Trinidad. These farmers are highly skilled and trained in their farming operations of transplanting onions and harvesting carrots.

Avia Eek, says challenges that COVID-19 have brought their farm are stressful.

"If I were to state that the challenges we're facing are overwhelming, that would be an understatement," said Eek.

The Canadian border has opened to temporary foreign workers, which solves half of the issue. The issue that remains is that countries, including Trinidad, have not allowed any travel, even for workers coming to Canada to work.

Eek said while they are patiently waiting for their arrival, it can be stressful because of these unprecedented times that are out of human control.

"Without the work we do, and without the assistance that we get from our temporary foreign workers, we can't feed you," said Eeek.

"Addressing the issue that our chain supermarkets rely heavily on local products due to the minimal imports and exports from other countries during this time."

As the season approaches, and the timeframe for transplanting onions arrives, the Eek's don't know if their workers will get here on time.

Their overall goal is to feed the public and to keep the chain flowing of farm to table. But, these restrictions brought on by the pandemic are making it complicated.

Jodie Mott, the executive director of the Holland Marsh Growers Association, said they are doing their best. Still, the ever-evolving circumstances make it difficult to see what the future holds. And while the Eek's are affected, they are not going to be as at risk as farmers who grow fruit, which can go bad and result in an overload of wasted food.

"The next three weeks in corneculture is very important," said Mott. "They have to get the stuff in the ground because it has to germinate, so if it's not in by the first couple of weeks of May, we're looking at something different here."

The government has been helpful, and the farming community has been working together to make the best out of this situation, but right now, it's all a waiting game.

Mott said there are a lot of questions with answers left unknown, ranging from how much crops will be harvested this year, to what price the public is going to be paying for their food.