Chipotle Mexican Grill announces the Chipotle Virtual Farmers’ Market through Shopify, allowing farmers in the Chipotle supply chain to launch improved versions of their own eCommerce websites. Through individualized online marketplaces, Chipotle suppliers will be able to sell meat, dairy and grain products, and other items directly to consumers across the country. As a digital innovator known for seeking long-term solutions, Chipotle is assisting in the development of each supplier’s site, covering hosting fees on Shopify for two years and supporting the design and development of the direct-to-consumer storefronts.

To date, three plants have experienced at least one confirmed positive COVID-19 case among their teams. At each of the affected plants, George's immediately implemented COVID-19 response plan actions, making sure that all health, safety, and sanitation measures were implemented, including deep cleaning procedures and notification of any coworkers who had possible close contact with these individuals. The approach, and the practices  adopted, follow the guidance issued by the CDC and utilize the hierarchy of controls.

Smithfield Foods expressed its support for the activation of the Defense Production Act which safeguards the country’s food supply that provides sustenance to hundreds of millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also protects the livelihoods of millions of American family farmers who produce bountiful livestock supplies but rely on meat processing facilities to convert that abundance into food. Grocers and restaurants are dependent on farmers, processors and distributors to supply protein to the country. This action helps ensure the American people will not experience protein shortages.

Golden West Food Group (GWFG) is donating $2 million worth of meats to the City of Hope Hospital, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Unified School District, Salvation Army, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and others in need, to support the relief efforts associated with COVID-19 pandemic. GWFG is headquartered in Los Angeles County, California.

Smithfield Foods will close its Cudahy, Wisconsin, and Martin City, Missouri, facilities later this week. Its Cudahy dry sausage and bacon plant will shutter for two weeks. Its Martin City plant, which employs over 400 people and produces spiral and smoked hams, receives raw material from the company’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility, which is closed indefinitely. Without these raw materials, the facility cannot continue to run. Smithfield will resume operations in Sioux Falls once it receives further direction from local, state and federal officials. This will also allow the company to bring its Martin City facility back online.

Smithfield Foods announced that its Sioux Falls, South Dakota, facility will remain closed until further notice. The plant is one of the largest pork processing facilities in the U.S., representing four to five percent of U.S. pork production. It supplies nearly 130 million servings of food per week, or about 18 million servings per day, and employs 3,700 people. More than 550 independent family farmers supply the plant.

Tyson Foods is committing $13 million to support critical needs in local communities where the company operates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced today. This investment includes $2 million in community grants and more than $11 million worth of products donated by the company since March 11.

Hormel Foods today announced a special cash bonus to its plant production team members who continue to work tirelessly to produce food during the COVID-19 outbreak. The more than $4 million bonus will be paid to all full- and part-time plant production team members who have been working around the clock to ensure the company’s trusted brands and products are available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a leading global food and protein company, we understand that continuing to deliver nutritious, delicious and affordable food, and protein specifically, to our communities is of vital importance, now more than ever. Food is an essential part of all our lives, and our more than 40,000 U.S. team members, thousands of American family farmers and our many other supply chain partners are a crucial part of our nation’s response to COVID-19.

A M King has completed renovation of an 88,000-square-foot facility that houses Southern Foods’ meat, seafood and cheese processing operations. The new building allows the 66-year old company to operate in a larger, more modern space, handle greater volumes, and save money in repairs and maintenance, thereby bringing even more competitive pricing to its marketplaces.