topic Re: Now a meat shortage? in Community Chat

Now a meat shortage?

SeaMaiden — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 23:49:58 GMT

The world’s biggest pork producer is shuttering a major U.S. plant indefinitely after a coronavirus outbreak among employees, with the company warning that closures across the country are taking American meat supplies “perilously close to the edge” of shortfalls.

Smithfield Foods will idle its Sioux Falls, South Dakota, pork-processing facility, which accounts for 4% to 5% of U.S. production, the company said in a statement Sunday. The move comes after state officials reported more than 200 cases of Covid-19 for plant employees, adding to a spike in infections that’s seen hundreds of American meat workers get sick. Plants have been forced to shutter or reduce output.

“The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants that have shuttered across our industry, is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply,” Smithfield’s Chief Executive Officer Ken Sullivan said in the statement. “It is impossible to keep our grocery stores stocked if our plants are not running

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Re: Now a meat shortage?

PA Mom-mom — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:03:38 GMT

SeaMaidenn We have several large meat processors in our area, and they have been giving out off the record alerts for several days now.(friends in the business) A shortage of employees. I honestly don't think this is going to last too long. Their employees want to get back to work as soon as they are virus free. I'm not really worried at this point.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

KathyM23 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:03:42 GMT

And this company is owned by China as are many of our commercial farming facilities. Our medicines are also outsourced to China. Too bad we are so dependent on other countries for our basic necessities. Not that the ownership of the company had anything to do with the virus outbreak at this company, but just saying, we need to reduce our dependence. We are a strong United States and are perfectly capable of taking care of our own needs.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

SeaMaiden — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:04:15 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
SeaMaidenn We have several large meat processors in our area, and they have been giving out off the record alerts for several days now.(friends in the business) A shortage of employees. I honestly don't think this is going to last too long. Their employees want to get back to work as soon as they are virus free. I'm not really worried at this point.

@PA Mom-mom ThankYou

Re: Now a meat shortage?

Annabellethecat66 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:06:16 GMT

Well we will just have to find other things to eat.

Unfortunately, people will loose their jobs.

I think, as Americans, we've been really lucky that through all of this we haven't been without anything (as far as sustinance goes). This is due to the work ethic of Americans.

It was just a matter of time. I would think the only way any of these places should start up would be the workers (all workers) be tested before they even enter the parking area.

If they test positive, go home and rest a few days, then come back and get retested.

That goes for every business and customer. That way we could weed out people who still have it but don't show signs of it.

As someone who eats out often 4 days a week at restaurants, I've always thought we are crammed into restaurants too close anyway. Sometimes it's so loud my friend and I can't hear each other.

I understand why we're crammed in, (rent is high), but as a customer, it often isn't very conduscive to a quiet...pleasant meal.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

Spurt — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:20:17 GMT

@SeaMaiden

Smithfield sends its pork to be processed in China.....I wont ever eat their products. I buy the local area brand that our grocery store chain HEB offers....they use local ranchers and farmers....

11/19/19.....

SMITHFIELD, Virginia (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods’ slaughterhouse in Virginia used to carve up pork for American sandwiches and holiday dinners. But workers now box up pig carcasses to ship to China, according to employees, local officials and industry sources. Bought by China’s WH Group Ltd six years ago for $4.7 billion, Smithfield Foods has retooled U.S. processing operations to direct meat to China, which produced half the world’s pork before swine fever decimated the industry.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

BeautyLver — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:21:11 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
Well we will just have to find other things to eat.

Unfortunately, people will loose their jobs.

I think, as Americans, we've been really lucky that through all of this we haven't been without anything (as far as sustinance goes). This is due to the work ethic of Americans.

It was just a matter of time. I would think the only way any of these places should start up would be the workers (all workers) be tested before they even enter the parking area.

If they test positive, go home and rest a few days, then come back and get retested.

That goes for every business and customer. That way we could weed out people who still have it but don't show signs of it.

As someone who eats out often 4 days a week at restaurants, I've always thought we are crammed into restaurants too close anyway. Sometimes it's so loud my friend and I can't hear each other.

I understand why we're crammed in, (rent is high), but as a customer, it often isn't very conduscive to a quiet...pleasant meal.

What planet do you live on??

Re: Now a meat shortage?

PA Mom-mom — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:23:17 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@PA Mom-mom wrote:
SeaMaidenn We have several large meat processors in our area, and they have been giving out off the record alerts for several days now.(friends in the business) A shortage of employees. I honestly don't think this is going to last too long. Their employees want to get back to work as soon as they are virus free. I'm not really worried at this point.
@PA Mom-mom ThankYou

@SeaMaiden Don't get me wrong. There may be some shortages in the next few weeks, but, they should not last. The processors we are familiar with are hanging on and expect to resume soon.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

sunshine45 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:26:12 GMT

SMITHFIELD......information you can find directly on their website.

Proudly Made in the USA

Smithfield Foods is a U.S. company that provides more than 40,000 American jobs and partners with thousands of American farmers. The company was founded in Smithfield, Virginia, in 1936 and was acquired by Hong Kong-based WH Group in 2013.

Where is Smithfield Foods based?

We are still headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, and run by an American and U.S.-based management team.

Does Smithfield pay U.S. taxes?

Yes. Smithfield continues to pay U.S. local, state, and federal taxes, and heavily reinvests our profits in improvements of our U.S. facilities and employees, as well as construction and acquisitions of new U.S. facilities and capacity.

Is WH Group owned by the Chinese government?

WH Group is a publicly traded company with shareholders around the world. Anyone anywhere can purchase shares of WH Group on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 00288. In fact, WH Group’s shareholders include many large U.S.-based financial institutions. It is not a Chinese state-owned enterprise and does not undertake commercial activities on behalf of the Chinese government.

Does Smithfield now import products from China?

Smithfield has not, does not, and will not import any products from China to the United States. No Smithfield products come from animals raised, processed, or packaged in China. All our U.S. products are made in one of our nearly 50 facilities across America. These products are produced in compliance with the strict standards and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other federal and state authorities.

How has the acquisition impacted the U.S. pork industry and the country’s economy?

Smithfield and the U.S. pork industry export products to China, benefitting American pork producers and processors. More exports to China mean more American jobs and more demand for products “Made in the USA,” and reduces the U.S. global trade deficit.

Has Smithfield reduced its workforce as a result of the acquisition?

Not a single job has left the United States since the WH Group acquisition. In fact, we have added thousands of American jobs since the 2013 acquisition.

Has the acquisition hurt the company’s sustainability efforts?

Smithfield continues to maintain an industry-leading sustainability program, including robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. Furthermore, we have continued to set more ambitious sustainability goals.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

mac116 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:29:26 GMT

The closed plant in South Dakota is a meat PROCESSING plant.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

LolaMontez — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 10:57:21 GMT

Luckily, smart prepared people all have emergency food supplies -- canned chicken, tuna, salmon, beans, soups, mac & cheese, nuts, paper products, cleaning surprise and other shelf stable proteins and other foods like rice, pasta and canned vegetables that were stocked well in advance in case of such an emergency situation.

If people didn't keep emergency stores prior to the COVID crisis, surely they will when it is finally over. A valuable lesson will have been learned and that is to the benefit of all concerned.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

ID2 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:03:26 GMT

I haven't bought/consumed national brand meats/vegetables since I moved 5 years ago. Thank goodness I have so many wonderful local farmers!

Re: Now a meat shortage?

Nuttmeg — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:17:57 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
SeaMaidenn We have several large meat processors in our area, and they have been giving out off the record alerts for several days now.(friends in the business) A shortage of employees. I honestly don't think this is going to last too long. Their employees want to get back to work as soon as they are virus free. I'm not really worried at this point.

@PA Mom-mom
My concern is having people virus free and working in a safe environment. I do hope the company is providing workers with the enough proper Protective equipment.

I would think it is difficult to practice social distanting in a meat processing facility.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

qualitygal — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:26:52 GMT

Was thinking I might go vegan anyway. When we can go to our garden centers again, I may need to see and read up about planting my own garden.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

Still Raining — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:29:42 GMT

Shopping my freezer. Now eggs I do have to go out to get. Check around, lots of really small rural folks are having to throw their eggs out.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

software — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 13:01:20 GMT

I've avoided anything Smithfield since the sale.

Smithfield used to be a good company.

Too many other sources locally.

And to anyone who thinks canned protein is a better choice, read the label.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

I am still oxox — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 13:05:06 GMT

Please correct me if I am wrong, this is one supplier not all of them, when DH shops he buys what ever is fresh eat it that night and freeze the rest. I have a full freezer and we can eat for 2-3 week from it, we also have pasta and beans etc

Re: Now a meat shortage?

wagirl — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 13:59:41 GMT

I read a few small blurbs about this very thing in the recent week or so---and I decided to order meat from a local farmer for my freezer-----that way I have some and am helping my local farmers around my area, in fact getting my first delivery today---we don't eat alot of meat maybe 1 pound between the 3 of us per dinner---and we go some days with no meat and then a leftover meal or 2. I can see the grocery shelves being empty over all this too.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

dex — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 14:05:32 GMT

@Spurt @I didn't know that China processed the pork.I won't purchase anything under that label again.

Re: Now a meat shortage?

JJsMom — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 14:18:19 GMT

Those poor workers. That, to me, is the larger story here. Do they have proper PPE and do they get paid time off if they are sick or test positive? That is what we should be concerned about. Expect food shortages across all sectors if the workers are not being taken care of.