The food supply chain is breaking down, according to John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. In a blog post, which also appeared as a full-page advertisement in The New York Times, he said, “As pork, beef and chicken plants are being forced to close, even for short periods of time, millions of pounds of meat will disappear from the supply chain.”
In the post, Tyson calls for the private and public sectors to come together to help keep employees safe and the country fed. “We have a responsibility to feed our country,” he said. “It is as essential as healthcare. This is a challenge that should not be ignored. Our plants must remain operational so that we can supply food to our families in America. This is a delicate balance because Tyson Foods places team member safety as our top priority.”
To do its part, Tyson has installed more than 150 infrared walkthrough temperature scanners in its facilities, enforcing social distancing practices, paying approximately $60 million in “thank you” bonuses to 116,000 frontline workers and truckers, and donated $13 million to support local community needs.
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is among the facilities that is temporarily halting production at its Pasco, Wash. beef facility while its 1,400-plus employees undergo testing for COVID-19. While the plant is temporarily closed for testing, team members will continue to be compensated and asked to self-isolate at home until results return. Resuming operations is dependent on a variety of factors, including the outcome of team member testing for COVID-19 and how long it takes to get results back.
Jennie-O Turkey Store is temporarily closing two of its facilities in Willmar, Minn. out of an abundance of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Indiana Packers Corp. has temporarily suspended operations at its Delphi, Ind. facility as part of its ongoing health and safety assessments.
In addition, Gilster-Mary Lee has temporarily ceased production at its manufacturing facility in Chester, Ill. after company president Donald E. Welge passed away from COVID-19 complications, reports Food Business News. Many other administrative employees have been sick as well, including Tom Welge, Donald’s son and vice president of technical sales and general counsel, who has recovered, and his brother Robert, whose condition is improving.
Related: Tyson Shuts Iowa Plant Down Indefinitely; Tyson Foods Cuts 500 Jobs.
from Specialty Food News https://ift.tt/2xfMJy5
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