Gifts of guac, safety tunnels: companies help during crisis

Produce companies and organizations continue to think of innovative ways of helping consumers and customers during the pandemic, from celebrating Cinco de Mayo to new ways of keeping employees safe.

Here are a few recent examples of what’s going on during the pandemic to help people cope.

Avocados from Mexico

With Cinco de Mayo celebrations muted because of the pandemic, Avocados From Mexico (AFM) is delivering nearly 2,000 meals and guacamole kits to grocery distribution warehouses in New York City and Dallas-Ft. Worth.

The May 5 avocado-centric deliveries will take place throughout the day, to “shine a light on the instrumental role grocery workers are playing during this time to ensure the food system keeps moving,” according to a news release.

“We know that our partners throughout the grocery channel are working hard to ensure we have access to food for our families during this time,” Kevin Hamilton of AFM said in the release. “Avocados From Mexico wanted to find some way to support restaurant workers and thank frontline grocery workers for all they are doing by bringing a little Cinco to them.”

AFM sees the effect of the pandemic from grower to retailers and foodservice operators, and hopes to “inspire others to support essential workers,” according to the release.

The donations include:

800 fresh guacamole kits to Kroger store employees in Dallas-Ft. Worth; and
1,000 meals and guacamole kits to FreshDirect and CTown Supermarket distribution centers, delivery personnel and retail employees in four NYC boroughs.

AFM partnered with Avocaderia in New York City and Monclovas Catering in Dallas on the food.

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas members have been busy donating produce to areas that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

Three truckloads of donated produce recently went to the Hopi, Navajo and White Mountain Apache Nations in Northeast Arizona, as part of ongoing efforts in Santa Cruz and Pima counties. Almost a dozen companies donated pallets of the imported produce for the effort.

“From the first moment we received the request from Santa Cruz County until now, I’m so proud of how this community has come together,” FPAA chairman and president of Vandervoet & Associates, said in a news release.

Santa Cruz Cold Storage dedicated space to use as a drop-off, and Arizona National Guard members transported the fresh produce; 5 Star Bobtail Service also helped pick up donated produce, Wise Trucking provided trucks and Westrock donated boxes for distribution.

“Each and every time I made a phone call, the person answering asked me how they could help. I feel that I truly do work with the best industry,” Emmis Yubeta, FPAA director of membership and events, said in the release. “The produce industry came together to help in a time of need, and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it.”

Giumarra Cos.

A Mexican grower for Giumarra Cos., Los Angeles, has installed sanitation tunnels to support worker safety during the pandemic.

Hermosillo, Sonora-based Videxport S.A. de C.V., a Fair Trade grower-shipper of watermelon, grapes and bell peppers, recently installed four tunnels at its packing operation and enhanced safety procedures, according to a news release. Videxport employs about 7,400 workers a year.

“Videxport’s commitment to its workers’ safety and wellbeing, evidenced by the company’s long-standing social responsibility programs and corresponding certifications, is strongly reinforced by this forward-thinking measure,” John Corsaro, CEO of the Giumarra Cos., said in the release.
The 10-foot-long tunnels mist a disinfectant solution as employees walk through, protecting against viruses and bacteria. Each tunnel can accommodate about 20 people a minute, according to the release.

Videxport recently hired a second full-time doctor and additional nurses, and purchased two mobile clinics for on-site worker healthcare to supplement its on-farm clinic, according to the release.

In addition, social distancing, staff education and worker health monitoring measures have been employed in fields and packhouses, as well as in worker housing, according to the release.

Mastronardi Produce

Mastronardi Produce, Kingsville, Ontario, has introduced what it calls the SHIELD system to help keep employees safe during the pandemic.

The greenhouse grower has taken steps including social distancing and enhanced sanitation measures for employees whose jobs required them to remain on-site. Increased communication and an online portal for resources to address questions and concerns was also established.

The company has added the SHIELD system to help employees remember critical steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

S — Social distancing;
H — Health (stay home if you’re sick);
I — Individual protection (use personal protection equipment);
E — Engage remotely (use technology to communicate);
L — Look (read and obey posted signs and guides); and
D — Deep clean (wash hands frequently and sanitize areas).

“With the addition of more staff in our facilities it’s important that our employees understand what steps we all need to take to remain safe and healthy,” president and CEO Paul Mastronardi said in the release. “ … Without this team, we would not be here, and making sure they’re protected is some-thing that I personally take very seriously.”

Northwest Agricultural Business Center

The Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Mt. Vernon, Wash., is helping launch four food hubs to support growers needing to connect with consumers during the pandemic.

The group is starting programs in the San Juan Islands, on Whidbey Island, in Snohomish County and in southwest Washington, according to a news release. The NABC had played a supportive role in developing the aggregation/distribution sites with start dates in the near term.

“We no longer have the luxury to wait. The current health crisis revealed the vulnerability of our national food system,” David Bauermeister, NABC executive director, said in the release. “Because of the current health crisis, NABC’s mission to support access to local food and support local farms took on a new urgency.”

A new campaign on the group’s website funnels donations to the NABC and the food hubs.

The NABC developed the farmer-owned Puget Sound Food Hub.

“The recent COVID-19 pandemic created challenges at every level of society, including our farm community,” Bauermeister, said in the release. “In response, NABC immediately ramped up efforts to help farmers get their products to market, and pivoted our resources towards accelerated development of alternate sales channels similar to (the Puget Sound Food Hub).”

Nourish New York

The Nourish New York initiative will distribute $25 million from the state’s special public health emergency fund for food banks and emergency food providers.

The initiative’s goal is to quickly reroute New York’s surplus agricultural products through New York’s network of food banks, according to a news release.

Funding will go to drive-through food distribution events, voucher programs at grocery stores and direct purchases of products from New York growers and producers.

The state will give money to New York food banks to purchase excess products, such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Food banks are expected to receive funding the week of May 4, according to the release.

The list of food banks and emergency food providers receiving funding is online.

The state will launch a web page for the initiative to connect food banks to producers, according to the release.

Philanthropies that would like to help can contact Fran Barrett, director of nonprofits, at COVIDPhilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.

The announcement is “encouraging,” especially with vegetable season ramping up, David Walczak, operations manager of Eden Valley Growers, Eden, N.Y., said.

“Providing the food banks with dollars to support the growers, and in turn the people in need, is an awesome move by New York state,” Walczak said in the release.

Northeast Editor Amy Sowder and Editor Tom Karst contributed to this article.

For more coverage of what companies are doing during the pandemic, see The Packer's COVID-19 webpage.

Produce companies respond to needs during pandemic

Companies help food banks, industry employees during pandemic