Industry attempts to reduce disruptions in the supply chain.
In a letter dated March 18, food industry associations pleaded with federal, state, and municipal officials to waive the curfews and gathering restrictions imposed to limit the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the coronavirus, which is causing panic buying among consumers and destroying grocery store shelves.
According to Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association in Arlington, Virginia, “gathering restrictions and curfews are critical for protecting Americans and helping to flatten the curve, but the unintended consequences of those efforts could be detrimental to the production of essential goods for our fellow Americans.” “Our business is working nonstop to produce the goods that Americans require more than ever right now. Our manufacturing and supply chain are robust, and they will stay robust as long as we are allowed to run at maximum capacity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to prohibit gatherings of 50 or more individuals is not applicable to key infrastructure businesses, such as food and agriculture, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. State and local governments, however, are in charge of deciding whether to abide by CDC recommendations. While some have exempted food, beverage, and CPG production plants, others have not.
The statement, signed by 60 organizations representing the food, beverage, and home goods industries, said, “This lack of uniformity is leading to significant confusion and could further deteriorate if a level of consistency across states and municipalities is not achieved quickly.”
In the letter, it was also requested that vital supply chain elements be exempt from the limitations and treated as important infrastructure, including ingredient transportation, warehouses, distribution facilities, and retail outlets.
The current problems facing the supply chain are not a result of a shortage of supply, but rather of rising demand, according to Doug Baker, vice president of industry relations at FMI, The Food Industry Association, in Arlington.
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Mr. Baker stated, “Our industry has demonstrated time and again that it is strong and confident in its ability to meet the needs of the communities it serves, no matter what the circumstance is.” We are blessed with solid public-private collaborations with government organizations to maintain the effectiveness and nimbleness of our supply chain. We are currently requesting for assistance in easing regulatory restrictions so that as many customers—specifically, WIC and SNAP recipients—can be served as possible.
“While our European colleagues have been invaluable in sharing their lessons learned with us, we are having to rewrite the rules in this new climate. Our objectives are to maintain American food security and worker safety.
For the sector, labor accessibility could be a problem.
The effects of the virus on labor availability throughout the food supply chain are yet unknown, according to Lowell Randel, vice president of government and legal affairs of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, an Arlington organization. “While the food sector is taking precautions to safeguard its workers, it’s critical that food facilities have first access to testing as necessary to guarantee that they can continue to employ a sufficient and healthy staff. The food business has strict cleaning and sanitation guidelines in place, and facilities must always have access to cleaning and sanitizing supplies.
“After speaking with our friends in Europe, we’ve learned that while food plants are still operating, some are having trouble finding labor. The most important lesson they have imparted is the need to act fast to impose social separation in facilities in order to restrict the virus’s transmission.
“Our members in the US are already implementing social distancing tactics, such as scheduling breaks, controlling shifts, and allocating more time for hygiene and cleaning.”