Dole, Western Growers, Imperfect Foods and other industry members are donating food and equipment, and offering services directly targeted to easing hardships during the pandemic.
The following companies and organizations recently responded to the COVID-19 crisis.
Dole Food Co.
Dole Food Co., Charlotte, N.C., has donated 2.2 million pounds of fresh produce during the COVID-19 pandemic to those in need through U.S. food banks and communities in Latin America.
“The virus is ruthless, and we have seen the brutal impact it has had on people — directly to their health and their income,” CEO Johan Linden said in a news release.
“Dole continues to regularly donate large amounts of nutritious fresh fruit, especially bananas, which are very popular in the community and contribute to good health,” Feeding San Diego CEO Vince Hall said in the release.
Other U.S. donations went to organizations in New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles and Charlotte.
The company has joined Pro*Act and other companies in giving health care workers produce, including through the Produce Alliance Foundation’s Feeding our Frontlines program.
In Latin American communities, Dole is distributing food staples, test kits, masks, sanitizers and related supplies. The Dole Foundation is educating workers, advancing purchases of medication and providing services at its health clinics.
Equitable Food Initiative
The Equitable Food Initiative has compiled best-in-class resources and practices for communicating to employees during the crisis.
The organization, which promotes responsible labor practices and food safety, has worked with its growers to generate educational materials to share with other growers and farm workers.
The worker-manager teams established at EFI-certified growers have met “to adapt public health guidance to the realities of modern produce production,” according to a news release.
Available resources include:
- Worker education materials in English/Spanish, highlighting preventive measures;
- Guidance and recommended practices from industry and public health sources; and
- Information from EFI worker-manager teams to create safety measures.
“I have often remarked how thankful I am for the EFI workforce development model and the importance of worker-manager teams but that has never been more evident than during this crisis,” Vic Smith, CEO of JV Smith Cos., said in the release. “The ability for these already-established teams to be communicating and solving problems immediately as this issue gained traction has been critical in our ability to not only protect our workers, but continue to serve our customers.”
Imperfect Foods
San Francisco-based Imperfect Foods, previously known as Imperfect Produce before shelf-stable goods were added, is rescuing food from new sources that would otherwise go to waste.
For example, Imperfect Foods has redistributed broccoli florets grown for restaurants and popcorn destined for movie theaters, according to a news release.
CEO Philip Behn said the company’s mission of rescuing food from falling through the cracks in the supply chain has taken on a heightened urgency.
“Since large food suppliers have been unexpectedly left with excess supply due to the closure of the restaurant, hospitality and travel industries, we’ve stepped in to redirect some of these items to our customers,” CEO Philip Behn said.
“From offering new stir fry mixes created from excess cauliflower previously meant for restaurants to bags of ‘pizza cut’ broccoli florets, our model allows us to be nimble and support new partners in finding a home for their products while ensuring continuous supply for our customer’s weekly boxes,” he said.
The company delivers off-size/misshapen/surplus fresh produce from growers, and surplus shelf-stable items that retailers don’t want, to consumers.
The company continues to donate to food banks.
United Apple Sales
United Apple Sales, Lyndonville, N.Y., has increased measures to protect employees while continuing to donate apples to local food charities.
“We are in this fight on many levels – as a grower, packer, and individuals – all who want to keep healthy food moving to our partners and their customers,” Ward Dobbins, president and owner, said in a news release.
Actions include:
- All staff, administrators on down, practice social distancing and wear protective masks;
- Packing facility and work area sanitation schedules have been increased;
- Office configurations have been adjusted to increase distances;
- Warehouses and shipping area access is restricted to employees; and
- Truck drivers are required to receive loading instructions and schedules in the office.
United Apple has donated product to local food banks and shelters for people affected by economic challenges and the stay-at-home shutdown, according to the release.
Western Growers
Western Growers has launched a series of videos featuring its members, who are highlighting the work of field workers, deemed essential during the pandemic.
The videos are on Western Grower’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, and feature what California growers are doing to protect workers. Many of the steps in that process are standard for companies, according to the release, but protection measures have been ramped up in response to the pandemic.
“Worker safety and food safety go hand-in-hand, and growers and workers are being extra vigilant on all fronts and taking extra precautions,” according to a news release.
“Health and sanitation practices in the fields and packing facilities in response to COVID-19 have been adapted with a focus on training, hygiene and sanitation, and social distancing,” according to the release.
For more information on what companies and industry groups are doing and how they are changing during the pandemic, see The Packer’s COVID-19 updates page.
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