Coronavirus Coverage

Meat, poultry and fish sales lead organic foods category

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The growth rate for sales of organic meat, poultry and fish in the United States is leading the category, helping push organic foods to a record $56 billion in sales.

Food Marketing Institute, National Assn. of Convenience Stores among groups suing OSHA to stop vaccine mandate

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 13:02:00 -0500

Associations for truckers, distributors and independent operators are among other groups filing lawsuit to block OSHA's emergency standard.

U.S. Department of Labor issues emergency temporary standard to protect workers from coronavirus

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 11:34:25 -0400

DOL says standard increases protections for 84 million private sector workers.

Report: At least 59,000 meat industry workers caught COVID-19 in 2020, with 269 deaths

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 11:11:28 -0400

U.S. House of Representatives report indicates illness rates nearly three times higher than previous estimates.

Biden Administration announces expansion of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 11:49:41 -0400

Companies with 100+ employees will have to ensure all employees either are vaccinated or get tested weekly.

USDA invests $700 million in grants to provide relief to farm and food workers impacted by COVID-19

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:14:01 -0400

The program will provide relief to farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and front-line grocery workers for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FSIS sets mask mandates for federally inspected meat establishments

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:15:29 -0400

Effective August 25, 2021, federally regulated establishments are required to follow the latest CDC guidance.

FSIS implements measures to protect inspection personnel from COVID-19 infection

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Establishment employees and contractors are expected to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, when IPP are present, if located in an area of “substantial” or “high” community COVID-19 transmission.

Tyson Foods to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its U.S. workforce

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Company also providing $200 to fully vaccinated frontline team members.

USDA to provide pandemic assistance to livestock producers for animal losses

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Farm service agency will begin taking applications for indemnity program July 20.

JBS USA and Pilgrim’s announce “Your Shot at Free Meat For a Year” Sweepstakes to promote community vaccination efforts

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

50 American families will receive free beef, pork and chicken for one year with participation in company-sponsored vaccination clinics.

Former JBS employee who contracted COVID-19 wins workers' comp case

Wed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Ex-employee worked at JBS plant in Cactus, Texas.

Meat Institute becomes founding member of National COVID-19 Community Corps to accelerate vaccine push

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

The National COVID-19 Community Corps is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative.

Zoe's Meats helps feed thousands during COVID crisis

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Zoe's Meats supplied the deli meats, bacon and some cheeses to make approximately 15,000 meals for those in need during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Stampede Meat settles lawsuit over mandated COVID-19 closure

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

Stampede Meat has settled its lawsuit against several New Mexico state agencies over a mandated closure last year due to COVID-19.

West Liberty Foods holds COVID-19 vaccination clinic for Tremonton, Utah team members

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Iowa processor has successfully conducted a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for their team members aged 50+ located in Tremonton, Utah.

Meat Institute looks at COVID one year later

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Infections in meat sector 85% lower than general population with urgent need to accelerate vaccination.

North American Meat Institute: The new standard meat and poultry workers need is one that prioritizes vaccines

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Meat Industry continues to push for vaccinations among meat industry employees as frontline workers.

West Liberty Foods holds COVID-19 vaccination clinic for West Liberty, Iowa team members

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

West Liberty, Iowa-based West Liberty Foods successfully conducted a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for their team members located in West Liberty, Iowa.

Treating small meat plant employees as front-line workers

gazdziaks@bnpmedia.com (Sam Gazdziak) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

As the country returns to normal, vaccinating all meat plant employees is an important step.

USDA inspector general to probe department’s handling of COVID outbreaks at meat processing plants

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

The USDA Office of the inspector General initiated this audit in response to Sen. Michael Bennet’s request for an investigation.

Tyson Foods to vaccinate thousands of workers in Arkansas, Kansas and North Carolina

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Free, on-site vaccinations will be offered by the company.

North American Meat Institute calls on Biden Administration to ensure meat and poultry workers are vaccinated

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts encouraged the White House to ensure all states prioritize vaccine access for the diverse meat and poultry workforce.

COVID vaccination continues in large meat plants

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Meat industry employees get vaccinated as part of nation’s front-line workers.

2021 Industry Outlook: Continued Growth & Challenges

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 16:00:00 -0500

2020 was quite the year for everyone, both on a personal and professional level. While we would like to put it behind us and return to the old normal, I think as an industry, we will continue to see lasting effects of the pandemic well into 2021.

Worker safety in a COVID world

gazdziaks@bnpmedia.com (Sam Gazdziak) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:00:00 -0500

Meat processors have always had to work harder than other industries to keep their employees safe. After all, when you have a processing floor full of processing machinery and knives, you have more inherent danger than, say, an accounting firm.

2021 Outlook: Full speed ahead into 2021

gazdziaks@bnpmedia.com (Sam Gazdziak) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0500

As chaotic and tumultuous as 2020 was, it did bring some good news to the meat processing industry. Consumers did not lose their appetite for meat when the Coronavirus pandemic closed down restaurants.

Perdue Farms begins COVID-19 vaccine distribution to its employees

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, Perdue Farms distributes first vaccines to plant associates.

Foster Farms provides COVID-19 vaccinations to employees at Fresno processing facility

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

Company partners with the Fresno Department of Public Health and Vons Pharmacy to vaccinate 1,000 essential workers at its Cherry Avenue facility this week.

Select Subcommittee launches investigation into widespread Coronavirus infections and deaths in meat packing plants

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Rep. James Clyburn sends letters to Tyson, Smithfield and JBS USA, requesting COVID-related information.