Coronavirus Coverage

Tyson Adds Time-Off Benefits for Vaccinated and New-Hire Employees

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:10:00 -0400

Tyson Foods announced it would strengthen the benefits it offers its fully vaccinated U.S. frontline team members. Effective January 1, 2022, fully vaccinated team members can begin earning up to 20 hours of paid sick leave per year. New hires will also receive one week of vacation after six months of employment.

Brookshire Grocery Co. Invests $33 Million in Staff Wages, Raises Minimum Hourly Pay to $11

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:55:00 -0400

Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has announced it raised wages for almost 13,500 hourly employee-partners which totals more than $33 million investment in salaries. Part of this investment is the company making the extra $1 per hour in COVID appreciation pay permanent for the hourly retail and logistics employee-partners along with raising the minimum pay for several positions in retail.

Unilever Offers Free Ice Cream at Vaccination Sites Across the Country

Wed, 19 May 2021 14:16:00 -0400

In an effort to curtail vaccine hesitancy and promote education across the country, Unilever delivered truckloads of free ice cream to vaccination sites in NYC, LA, St. Louis, Memphis, Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix. Unilever representatives handed out treats to to newly vaccinated people, vaccine site workers, and volunteers.

Frontline Forklifts

costam@bnpmedia.com (Michael Costa) — Tue, 11 May 2021 08:36:00 -0400

As demand for cold foods soared in 2020, so did the hours forklifts were used to load and unload goods. We look at what lift truck technology will help operators continue meeting the challenges of an accelerated cold chain.

New Podcast: Lessons Learned and Current Challenges for the Refrigerated Foods Industry

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 12:23:00 -0400

On our latest Cold Corner Podcast, Lauren Edmonds, newly elected president of the Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) joins Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa to discuss the RFA’s plans for the coming year, plus how the pandemic is still affecting the refrigerated foods industry through price hikes and shortages on ingredients, a shrinking labor pool, and more. They also discuss Edmonds’ company, St. Clair Foods, and their move to an automated production facility.

Straus Family Creamery Relaunches Organic Barista Milk Line After Pandemic-Related Downsizing

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:13:00 -0400

As the nation’s hospitality industry and its farm suppliers move toward pandemic recovery, Straus Family Creamery, a leader in organic dairy farming innovation and climate-positive business practices, reintroduces its Organic Barista Milk product line after limiting production to a narrower assortment during the first 12 months of the pandemic.

Americold, Tyson, and Feed the Children Partner for Hunger Relief Program

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 17:02:00 -0400

Feed the Children, Americold and Tyson Foods are aligning to rapidly deliver more than 500,000 meals to communities across the U.S. to combat the staggering food insecurity children and families are experiencing due to COVID-19. This unprecedented partnership has produced an innovative distribution model allowing the three organizations to revamp the supply chain and distribute meals more quickly throughout the year to those who need support.

Sysco Offers Strategies for Brunch, Business Protection, and Turning Tables to Help Restaurateurs Recover

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:48:00 -0400

Sysco has announced the addition of three new toolkits to its Foodie Solutions platform: Brunch, Protecting Your Business and Turning Your Tables. As more restaurants reopen their dining rooms, these are the latest in a series of carefully curated tools to help customers respond quickly to shifting business requirements and trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sysco Announces $1.1 Billion Debt Reduction in Anticipation of Market Recovery

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:29:00 -0400

Sysco announced it has reduced its outstanding debt by a total of $1.1 billion. The company repaid the remaining $700 million in outstanding borrowings under its long-term revolving credit facility that expires on June 28, 2024. In addition, Sysco’s United Kingdom-based subsidiary, Brake Bros Limited, repaid £300 million of its £600 million in aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding under its commercial paper program, equating to approximately $417 million in debt reduction.

PFMA Recognizes Supermarket Employee Day, Also Names 2021 DECA Scholarship Recipient

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 11:08:00 -0500

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) joined groups nationwide in recognizing the tremendous efforts of grocery workers during the pandemic and beyond. Governor Tom Wolf proclaimed Monday, February 22, as Supermarket Employee Day in Pennsylvania as a way to acknowledge and thank supermarket employees for their extraordinary dedication to a job that has become more significant than ever.

Port of Oakland Names Julie Lam as CFO

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 11:05:00 -0500

Julie Lam, a key architect of the Port of Oakland’s COVID-19 response has been officially named the agency’s Chief Financial Officer. Lam had been the acting CFO for the past 10 months. Lam will be responsible for financial management, budgeting and accounting in her new role. She’ll also oversee human resources, risk management, purchasing and enterprise resource planning.

Silk ULTRA Launches Home Gym Contest with Olympians Aly Raisman and Michael Phelps

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:01:00 -0500

Silk, America’s No. 1 plant-based beverage brand, is celebrating the release of its new high-protein beverage Silk ULTRA by giving fitness enthusiasts the chance to win the gym gear they need to keep crushing the game – from the convenience of their home. Introducing the Silk ULTRA Upgrade, which will arm athletes with hard-to-get equipment such as kettlebells, free weights, resistance bands, and an ample supply of Silk ULTRA to take them through the year. But for a chance to upgrade, they must unleash their inner beast mode by completing one of two 10-minute, high-intensity ULTRA Sweat Sessions, hosted by decorated athletes Michael Phelps and Aly Raisman.

AFFI and FMI Release 2021 Power of Frozen Report, Detailing Record Growth for Frozen Foods in 2020

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:24:00 -0500

Nearly one year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, a new report finds frozen foods were among the fastest growing categories in the grocery store, with clear signs that Americans’ fondness for frozen will continue to grow.

US Foods Reports Q4 and Full Earnings for Fiscal Year 2020

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 09:09:00 -0500

Foodservice shutdowns due to the pandemic led to an 11.8% decrease in net sales and an 18.9% decrease in gross profit for 2020.

Butterball Debuts Website to Help Foodservice Operators Recover

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 14:56:00 -0500

Butterball Foodservice has launched a new website that will quickly connect operators with much needed resources, tools and information. The site revamp emerges as the need for strategies to counter the significant losses of the past year becomes urgent. Enhanced capabilities and an updated design improve the user experience on ButterballFoodservice.com and provide efficient access to comprehensive product detail, trending recipe applications and industry and consumer insights as operators navigate a recovery-focused period.

Sandridge Foods Receives Platinum Healthy Worksite Award

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:58:00 -0500

Sandridge Food Corporation has been recognized by The Healthy Business Council of Ohio (HBCO) as a Platinum Award recipient for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to employee wellness through comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs. Sandridge Food Corporation is one of only three other Northeast Ohio companies to achieve a Platinum-level recognition.

Foster Farms Provides COVID-19 Vaccinations for 1,000 Frontline Employees at Fresno Plant

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 17:09:00 -0500

Foster Farms is providing the Moderna vaccine to 1,000 employees at its Fresno, California, Cherry Avenue poultry facility. In partnership with Fresno County’s Public Health Department and Vons Pharmacy, this vaccination program marks the first large scale effort to vaccinate a workforce at a major food processing facility in Fresno County.

Oikos Debuts Super Bowl Ad for New High-Protein Yogurt Products, Announces Grant to Help Fitness Industry Rebound

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 08:39:00 -0500

The past year has tested the strength of the fitness industry, which lost more than 480,000 jobs due to the pandemic. Gyms are closing and the fitness pros that help us flex our ugliest #PROFACES - that ugly game face we all make when maxing out on the weight floor or on the field - are struggling. In tandem with its new Super Bowl ad which salutes these fierce #PROFACEs, Oikos PRO is launching Oikos PRO for Pros, a grant program, to help give independent fitness businesses and trainers the support and strength they need.

RLS Logistics Donates More Than 365,000 Meals to Food Banks Through Pallets 4 Plates Program

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

RLS Logistics, a national third-party logistics provider specializing in temperature-controlled logistics, announced their 2020 contribution total for their Pallets 4 Plates program. In 2020, through their program, 365,291 plates of food were supplied to charities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah, including Food Cowboy and the Food Bank of South Jersey. Also, equivalent cash contributions were made to Baker’s Club of Philadelphia, American Heart Association, Pink Clover Foundation, numerous local schools, and youth sports teams.

Farm Rich Promotes Frozen Snacks at Home in New Super Bowl Ad Campaign and Giveaway

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:55:00 -0500

Concession stands and the stadium may be far from packed for the Big Game next week, but Farm Rich is reminding football fans why gameday experiences are often best enjoyed from the comforts of home anyways.

Sysco Creates $525,000 Cash Flow for its Restaurant Clients Through Purchase of 21,000 Gift Cards

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:18:00 -0500

Sysco has purchased more than 21,000 gift cards providing a cash flow boost totaling more than $525,000 to support its restaurant customers across the United States. Each of these $25 gift cards were given to Sysco’s operations frontline associates in appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the company’s customers.

Tyson Updates Line of Instant Pot Meal Kits with Three New Flavors

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 15:34:00 -0500

Cooking and preparing meals from home has increased 67% since COVID-19 began. After months of home-cooked meals, families are turning to prepared foods and easy prep meals as a way to save time and spice up their nightly dinner menus. In addition, 60% of home cooks report they rely on Instant Pots or similar appliances for their cooking routine for the simplicity, versatility, and convenience of making, flavorful meals with less cleanup.

Plant-Based Meat Brand Heura Donates More Than 1,000 Meals to Homeless Londoners

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:43:00 -0500

Plant-based food brand Heura has made an in-kind donation to leading UK food charity Refettorio Felix to help provide nutritious plant-based meals to Londoners in need during January. The donation was made to celebrate Veganuary, the global challenge started in the United Kingdom that encourages people around the world to go vegan for the month of January. 400,000 people from 192 countries joined this initiative last year, and over one million people have taken part in the challenge since its inception.

Refrigerated Entree Brand Kevin's Ends its First Year in Business with $48 Million in Sales

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 15:28:00 -0500

Kevin’s Natural Foods, the only natural and health-focused refrigerated entrée brand in the nation, announced the company has experienced exponential growth during its first year of business. Empowering people to eat clean without sacrificing flavor, Kevin’s Natural Foods launched in the fall of 2019 and recorded $4.5 million in sales during its first quarter. Since its inception, the Northern California-based wellness brand has expanded rapidly, adding 6,000 retail locations nationwide in only 12 months. Experiencing a 460% revenue increase in 2020, the company projects to close out the year with $48 million in sales—thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic changing what, how and where consumers are eating.

Coconut Bliss Launches At-Home Ice Cream Machine Called the Bliss Maker, Aimed at Housebound Consumers

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 15:49:00 -0500

Coconut Bliss, maker of plant-based frozen desserts, announces the launch of their first ever at-home ice cream machine, the Bliss Maker. The development of the Bliss Maker was a direct response to a growing consumer interest for at-home experiences amidst the pandemic. Along with the Bliss Maker, the brand unveiled two Coconut Bliss soft serve mixes, Dark Chocolate and Madagascan Vanilla, that provide consumers the same quality ingredients, creamy texture, and "OMG it's vegan?" taste, from the comfort of their own homes.

US Foods Surpasses $35 Million in Donations for COVID-19 Hunger Relief Efforts, Equal to 17 Million Meals

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 08:42:00 -0500

US Foods announced that since March the company has donated more than $35 million in food and supplies to fight hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic, the equivalent of approximately 17 million meals.

Is Vaccine Distribution the Future of Cold Storage?

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 09:59:00 -0500

About a month ago, we received an inquiry from a government contractor asking if our company, Yukon Ventures, would be interested in a top-secret cold storage opportunity. We read between the lines and understood that the contractor was talking about the rollout of the new COVID-19 vaccine, a subject dominating headlines everywhere.

Tyson Foods Completes COVID-19 Wagering Investigation at Iowa Pork Plant, Terminates Seven Managers

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 13:31:00 -0500

An independent investigation into alleged COVID-19 wagering by management at Tyson Foods’ pork plant in Waterloo, Iowa--allegedly betting on the number of plant employees that would contract coronavirus--has led to the termination of seven plant managers.

New $60 Million Class A Cold Storage Facility Planned for Dallas in 2021

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:55:00 -0500

Cold Summit Development has launched its first project in Dallas, a 343,000-square-foot multi-tenant cold storage facility (“Cold Summit Dallas”). The $60 million project is located at 2800 Cedardale Road on a 29-acre site within the South Dallas industrial submarket.

Danone North America Launches Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 12:53:00 -0500

Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative is the latest innovation from Silk, America's number-one plant-based beverage and a leader in yogurt alternatives, and is designed with kids and parents in mind. The new yogurt alternative is fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D to help support strong bones and has 25% less sugar per ounce1 than average flavored yogurt alternatives. Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative is also peanut-free, gluten-free, lactose-free and Non-GMO Project Verified – making it a good allergen-friendly option for lunchtime and snack time. The dairy-free yogurt alternative comes in three delicious flavors including Mixed Berry, Apple Cinnamon and Strawberry, and will be available at select retailers starting December 2020.