Feeding the country: food suppliers & COVID-19

Now more than ever, we need to make sure our food suppliers are safe

Midwest has the great responsibility of feeding the world... with that also comes the challenging task of protecting its workforce during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kimt new three's calyn thompson joins us live to explain why that's so important for everyone.xxx live amy?

The kemps plant in rochester is just one of many food suppliers in our area.

Now more than ever?

It's important to protect the people who work inside these facilities in order to protect our food supply.

Smithfield foods is the most recent victim of coronavirus... closing one of its biggest pork processing plants until further notice.

It's because nearly 250 of its workers at its sioux falls, south dakota facility tested positive for covi?19.

Meat processors in iowa and pennsylvania have also shut their doors because of sick employees.

One farm and agribusiness management specialist explains the implications.xx x if the workforce isn't available, if you have hot spots and breakouts at those plants?

It certainly could impact the food supply.

So hopefully those facilities are doing whatever they can in terms of social distancing.

For farmers about to begin planting season... social distancing shouldn't be a problem in the fields.

But o'rourke says it's important for employers and farmers to cros?train employees and have a bac?up plan.

Live in rochester, calyn thompson, kimt news 3./// thank you calyn.

We'll have more information on how farm and food workers can protect their workforce on our website kimt dot com./// in the last ten days?

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