Flowers Foods, producer of Nature’s Own, Wonder, Tastykake, Dave’s Killer Bread, and other bakery foods, today announced that it has temporarily stopped production at its bakery in Savannah, Georgia due to an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases within its production staff and in the number of those self-quarantining. The bakery’s shipping, engineering, sanitation, and office teams continue to work at the facility, but 115 production employees have been furloughed. Flowers will pay furloughed production employees and ask those employees to shelter-in-place until the bakery resumes production. 

Conagra Brands, one of North America's leading food companies, is celebrating the summer with the debut of more than two dozen new products. More people are cooking and eating at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Birds Eye, Marie Callender's, Healthy Choice and Snack Pack are among the brands bringing new items to market to satisfy evolving consumer needs. 

A multi-segment view of how those working along the cold chain have been affected by COVID-19 so far in 2020. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has given more than $17.5 million to its over 15,000 employee-partners which includes a second round of gift cards delivered to all active employees. Full-time employees are receiving a $200 BGC gift card and part-time employees are receiving a $100 BGC gift card totaling $1.9 million.

Our annual July State of the Industry issue is now ready to read in our redesigned digital magazine--even easier to navigate than before. We also feature our annual North American Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Warehouse Guide. put together with the help of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. In this issue, we dive deeper into how COVID-19 has not just impacted, but altered many areas of the cold foods supply chain the first half of 2020. It's a mid-year snapshot that also serves as a map for what will likely continue the rest of the year.

Choptank Transport has awarded $24,000 to 18 qualifying employees through the company's 2020 student loan paydown program. Choptank now has awarded a total of $87,000 through the paydown program since initiating it three years ago.

Kevin’s Natural Foods, makers of Paleo and Keto-certified sous-vide entrées, sauces, and seasoning blends, is providing much needed food to those in need in the Modesto, California, region. The brand donated 40,000 pounds of chicken, sauce, rice and potatoes worth $120,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank June 25. 

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.

As healthcare workers across the country continue to face shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), Smithfield Foods is supporting local communities by donating excess face shields to healthcare workers at nursing homes and local hospitals as part of their COVID-19 relief efforts.

On our latest From the Cold Corner Podcast, I discuss the state of frozen foods and COVID-19’s effect on the entire industry with Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI).