Carrier Transicold is providing a Model 35X direct-drive refrigeration unit to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. The unit will be used to support the School Food Mobile program, which delivers food and milk to school-aged children who are not receiving meals at school due to coronavirus-related closures. Separately, Carrier Transicold is donating a Supra 950 truck refrigeration unit for a new 28-foot box truck that will support Gleaners’ expanded emergency response efforts, including 66 new drive-up food distribution sites, modeled after Gleaners’ School Food Mobile program.
Del Monte is launching a new line of vegetarian pocket pies under its Veggieful brand, scheduled to arrive on store shelves May 25. Veggieful Pocket Pies come in four different flavors: Broccoli Potato Cheddar, Spinach Artichoke Parmesan, Plant-Based Philly Cheesesteak, and Rosemary Garlic Plant-Based Chicken.
I read the recent quarterly reports from Tyson and Sysco (Q2, and Q3, respectively) and both reflect the deep impact of restaurant, hotel, catering and other volume foodservice shutdowns on each of their businesses (and by extension, the cold foods supply chain) due to COVID-19. Here are my thoughts on the future of foodservice and what companies along the cold chain can do prepare for it.
Recently, 100 volunteers from Bellisio Foods, the largest employer in Jackson County, shared more than 90,000 meals from drive-through distribution centers at Oak Hill High School, Jackson High School and Vinton County High School. A total of more than 2,500 vehicles each received two cases (or 36 meals), bringing the total number of meals donated to Southern Ohioans by Bellisio Foods in the past month to more than 175,000.
Treeline Treenut Cheeses draw on traditional dairy-cheese making methods by fermenting creamy cashew nuts with a healthy probiotic, known as L. Acidophilus. They are kosher, soy-free, gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, and provide dietary fiber, which is missing from dairy cheese. Treeline recently launched three new spreadable flavors of vegan cream cheese: Plain, Chive & Onion, and Strawberry.
Sysco Corporation announced the launch of a new “Foodservice Doesn’t Brake for Adversity” campaign designed to help small foodservice businesses stay in business. The campaign will consist of strategically placed messages across multiple channels designed to encourage Americans to support their local restaurants and also highlights the resilience of all foodservice workers.
Company releases TCK Series Air Hoist for fast lifting, and expands TCL Series to include 3 ton and 6 ton capacities.
May 1, 2020
Harrington Hoists has announced the release of their TCK Series Air Hoist line. These hoists are designed for fast lifting requirements in demanding industrial settings and are available in 3 ton and 6 ton capacities in both pendant or cord control. Harrington also expanded their high-performance TCL Series Lube Free Air Hoist line to include 3 ton and 6 ton capacities.
Meat-free, dairy-free options include burritos, sausages, jerkies, bowls and deli slices.
May 1, 2020
Sweet Earth is adding to its frozen retail lineup of meatless, plant-based snacks and entrées this summer with a variety of new flavors, sizes, products and suggested retail pricing (SRP), including burritos, sausages, jerkies, bowls and deli slices.
This week on our From the Cold Corner podcast, I spoke with Josh Knott, president of the Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) and Knott's Fine Foods in Paris, Tennessee. We discussed worker safety, supply chain slowdowns due to COVID-19 precautions, and how panic buying and fear of perceived food shortages by consumers can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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.