Manufacturers responding to community and employee demands following COVID-19
The epidemic of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has affected food and beverage processors gradually. Initially, the focus was on maintaining production facilities operational and product flow to satisfy notable surges in retail demand. Many businesses are now praising front-line staff for their work and hiring more staff to meet the increased demand.
The additional pay is provided in several ways. For instance, hourly workers at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. are receiving an extra C$80 per week on top of their normal and overtime pay. More than $4 million in bonuses is being given to full- and part-time employees of Austin, Minnesota’s Hormel Foods Corp. to support their production facilities.
James P. Snee, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, said, “Our amazing team of more than 13,000 plant professionals is the backbone of our business. This special bonus is one way we can continue to thank them for how they have risen to the challenge and continue to produce food with a sense of purpose and pride.”
A $1,500 one-time “hardship award” is being given to about 5,700 workers of the J.M. Smucker Co. in Orrville, Ohio, who work in manufacturing, distribution, and other departments. Additionally, the corporation is offering 12 weeks of full pay and benefits continuation to workers whose duties are rendered unfulfillable by the COVID-19 epidemic or whose manufacturing or distribution site is closed.
Smucker’s president and CEO, Mark Smucker, stated, “We recognize the uncertainty people are experiencing at the moment and are determined to help alleviate some of that worry by supporting our employees and communities and ensuring people and pets have access to a steady supply of food.”
Over the course of the upcoming month, PepsiCo, Inc., Purchase, NY, will be paying an additional $100 per week to full-time employees of PepsiCo North America and PepsiCo Foods. Similar to Smucker, PepsiCo workers at a facility that has to close will be paid 100% of their salary for a maximum of 12 weeks. Additionally, workers affected by daycare and school closures will be paid at least two-thirds of their salary for a maximum of 12 weeks.
Based on hours worked until May 2, Mondelez International, Inc., located in East Hanover, New Jersey, is increasing the hourly wages of its production, distribution, and sales workers by $2 per hour. Additionally, sales representatives receive a weekly bonus from the company of $125.
Additionally, manufacturers are hiring more staff to assist their workers. While PepsiCo, Inc. is adding 6,000 new employees, Mondelez International is currently employing 1,000 US workers. The hiring efforts are a silver lining in the otherwise bleak employment landscape. A record 3.28 million workers filed for unemployment benefits in the week that ended on March 21. Numerous people lost their jobs in companies and sectors that had to close as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in the US.
Community assistance is essential
Food firms are also contributing to the community by way of charitable endeavors. In order to help those in need, Nestle SA, Vevey, Switzerland, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) partnered to provide meals, medical nutrition products, and bottled water. According to the corporation, it will also serve the IFRC’s needs in numerous nations by utilizing the logistical resources that are now accessible from its out-of-home operations.
The CEO, Mark Schneider, stated, “Now is the time to demonstrate the values of the Nestle family.” “What our team has accomplished to support individuals and communities affected by this disaster has left me feeling both genuinely pleased and humbled. Since the COVID-19 epidemic is a worldwide issue, we are providing assistance locally wherever we can, utilizing our extensive presence and experience in 187 countries.”
$5 million in food and cash have been contributed for food relief efforts by the Battle Creek, Michigan-based Kellogg Company.
Regarding the company’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic, senior vice president of worldwide corporate affairs Kris Bahner stated, “In every region, our food bank partners are stretched to their limits.” “Without their robust network of volunteers, they are able to feed a greater number of people.” We are more needed than ever by them.
More than 450,000 pounds of fried chicken were donated to Feeding America on March 17 by Chicago-based Conagra Brands, Inc. The business has also started conducting virtual food drives for nearby hunger relief organizations out of its offices in Omaha and Chicago.
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The firm stated, “The employee response to this call-to-action has been incredible, showcasing our employees’ tremendous passion and spirit to do the right thing to help our communities.”
Conagra Brands has donated $1.75 million to several organizations, such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Omaha’s Food Bank for the Heartland, and Feeding America.
Together with giving its hourly employees a weekly bonus, Maple Leaf Foods has contributed about C$2 million to emergency food relief efforts and C$2.5 million to a fund that will enable front-line healthcare workers to receive one-on-one help during the crisis.
Michael McCain, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, stated, “In this global crisis, we are compelled to look beyond our business and do what we can to support the many dedicated people who continue to deliver the critical services we depend on, as well as the most vulnerable in our society.” “We urge all businesses that possess the means and ability to lend their assistance in any way they can. When we band together, we can significantly impact the governments’ efforts to combat this pandemic and revive our nation’s economy and public health.”