As the coronavirus continues to change how Americans view their food habits, one industry is having to adapt quickly: meat.
In recent weeks, meat packing companies across the country have had to take a step back in their processing plants to promote worker and food safety during the pandemic. Last week, Smithfield Foods, a national food company that produces various meat products, has had to close two facilities in Wisconsin and Missouri.
Smithfield, which also has a location in Smithfield, Virginia, closed the facilities after a number of employees tested positive for the virus, according to a news release from the company. The closing of large plants such as those operated by Smithfield have had a significant impact on meat production nationally, but local meat producers haven’t faced those challenges.
Sam Edwards III, president of Edwards Virginia Smokehouse, said the business works with mostly smaller meat packaging companies which means there is less likely of a chance the virus will spread there.
The business started using small packing companies after a fire in 2016 burned down the business’ smokehouse facility.
“Before the virus, we would spend a lot of time going to each of these facilities, but now we’re just in constant contact with them and trying to maintain the meat supply,” Edwards said. “But the supply isn’t the issue at this point, there’s plenty of meat in storage, it’s just that plants are having to shut down.”
Even if the packing companies Edwards Virginia Smokehouse works with were to close down, the business still has enough meat inventory to last 30 to 60 days, Edwards said.
Edwards said the company was fortunate enough to start preparing for coronavirus back in January when there were first reports of cases. Employees in the company’s office were directed to work from home early on and staff that needed to fulfill orders started doing so while practicing social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment months ago.
The business has also taken extra steps to maintain food safety during this time.
“In the food business, people are used to constant hand washing so that’s a given,” Edwards said. “But it’s all more important now than ever.”
When delivering orders, drivers are required to wear masks or scarves over their nose and in the business’ two stores, in Surrey and Williamsburg, there is a limited number of employees at one time who also wear masks and gloves.
Transactions at the stores happen with as little social interaction as possible. Customers place orders and the orders are then set outside the store for pickup. But even with that opportunity, Edwards Virginia Smokehouse is still losing a large amount of business.
Edwards said he has heard concerns from customers all over the country who believe the virus could be spread on food. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is currently no evidence the virus can travel on food.
“Some of our best customers, all over the country, have just decided to close until it passes,” Edwards said. “And who knows how long that’s going to take.”
Edwards said he doesn’t know how the pandemic will impact the meat industry moving forward, but he hopes local businesses, customers and friends still find ways to survive.
“I really think this is a longer term situation than a lot of people think,” Edwards said. “It worries me, the impact this will have on the economy and how we will survive all of this.”
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