Sanderson Farms announced it has implemented a temporary weekly attendance bonus for the Company’s employees in an amount equivalent to $1.00 an hour for each hour worked. The bonus payment commenced Monday, March 30, 2020, and will end Friday, June 26, 2020. Employees must have perfect attendance during the week in order to earn the bonus. The attendance bonus is applicable to all hourly positions, including new hires.

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, FiveStar Gourmet Foods is taking action by donating 15,000 pre-packaged complete meal salads under the Simply Fresh brand to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, who will be distributing the salads to the local communities that they serve.

We’re continuing to work on the simultaneous priorities to support you in keeping the fresh produce supply chain moving, and driving financial relief for those most affected by this crisis.

Mountaire Farms is donating more than 44,000 pounds of chicken to employees at Delaware's Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, and Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury this week. Employees will each get a 10-pound bag of fresh chicken to take home to their families.

New data from research firm IRI (Information Resources Inc.) and BCG (Boston Consulting Group) shows frozen and refrigerated food sales spiking 78.8% and 57.8%, respectively, compared to a year ago, and attributed to COVID-19-related stockpiling by consumers beginning on March 1. The numbers are through the week ending March 15.

In disruptive times we often see the most creative and empathetic solutions rise to the surface. Across the country, fresh produce growers are donating food to feed their communities, fresh produce distributors are developing new models to redirect their restaurant business while also supporting local food banks, shelters and other essential businesses, and school nutrition professionals are still providing meals to millions of students on a daily basis, ensuring access to healthy foods while school is closed.

Perdue Farms learned that an associate at its Perry, Georgia Cook Plant, who has not been to work for more than a week, has tested positive for COVID-19. They are unable to disclose additional details around this individual in accordance with privacy laws. Upon receiving this notification, the company immediately enacted its pandemic response protocols, which follow strict guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Despite the effective shutdown of the foodservice sector, we have to continue feeding America. The partnerships and cooperation across our industry to achieve that goal are inspiring. Here are a few of the steps our association and our food partners have taken to keep our supply chain open.

La Brea Bakery wants to assure consumers that their bakeries are up and running at full capacity and delivering to grocery stores nationwide, giving everyone access to bread that can be eaten that day, or stored in the freezer to be enjoyed at a later date.

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced that it has proactively implemented additional safety measures by beginning the installation of protective Plexiglas partitions in all stores. The grocer will also enforce additional social distancing protocols and adhere to stricter store occupancy regulations to further safeguard customers and associates from the spread of COVID-19 in the communities it serves.