ROCKINGHAM — The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many questions in communities around the country. To demonstrate transparency, Perdue Farms has hosted virtual Town Hall-style webinars at locations where it has production operations, with the goal to further facilitate an ongoing dialogue regarding COVID-19 with various local community leaders including pastors, healthcare professionals, elected officials, civic organizations, and more.
During the meetings, members of the local Perdue human resources teams shared in detail the incremental safety measures the company has implemented to protect our associates, and answered questions to help ensure understanding and alleviate outstanding concerns. Perdue also invited meeting attendees to share any suggestions for additional safety measures the company could consider.
“The health and safety of our associates is our number one priority. We have a long history of supporting our associates and the communities where we work and live, and remain dedicated to doing everything we can to safeguard them during COVID-19 and beyond,” said Tracy Morris, vice president of Human Resources at Perdue. “On these webinars, we wanted to ensure that the local leaders in these communities had a good understanding of the safety measures we’ve put in place, give them the opportunity to ask us questions directly, and know they can call us if they have an idea that will further bolster our efforts to protect our associates and neighbors. Good ideas can come from anywhere.”
To date, Perdue has hosted webinars for the communities surrounding its facilities in more than 15 locations, including Rockingham. Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the company’s efforts to prioritize the health of its associates and neighbors.
Following the local webinar, Michelle Parrish, executive director of United Way of Richmond County, commented: “It was important to hear from Perdue in our community during such an unusual time, especially from one of the largest employers in Richmond County. Hearing directly from Perdue about what they are doing to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their associates, our neighbors, and family members of our community was extremely helpful and allows us to feel comfortable that they are doing right by the community.”
Michael Cotten, branch director of the Sandhills Food Bank, added: “The recent WebEx provided by the Perdue (Rockingham) Facility was very informative and reflected a commitment of transparency that is welcomed during these uncertain times of COVID19. Food processing at a high standard is so important to the safety and well-being of the citizens of our community. We are fortunate to have responsible corporate partners like Perdue in our community.”
“We could not have been more pleased with how receptive everyone was to the information we shared, and thoughtful during the discussions. These meetings further reinforce that we share the same care and concern for our local communities as the people who lead them, and we are equally committed to supporting and safeguarding them,” added Morris.
While the federal government has deemed food industry workers as mission-critical personnel, Perdue continues to seek additional ways to protect its associates during COVID-19, including working with the CDC and local health teams to properly assess the situation at each of our facilities to determine the needs and take the appropriate actions to protect our associates and communities, which has included testing in some locations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service continues to inspect all Perdue Farms products, which are made with the highest standards of safety and quality, as well as the company’s production facilities, which are fully sanitized every 24 hours at minimum.
For current updates on Perdue Farms’ COVID-19 response, visit: https://corporate.perduefarms.com/covid19-response/