Expert Commentary

RSS

Andy Hanacek sits down with Andrew Lorenz, We R Food Safety, to discuss solutions for meat and poultry processing plants with regard to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consumer purchase behavior has shifted to more retail and less foodservice, and ground products have been go-to-products for people sheltering in place. In turn, increased demands to meet production needs are challenging processors to keep grinding and stuffing equipment highly operational at top speeds.

The benefits of portion control slicing equipment are numerous for smaller processors.

Communication with your customers is critical! They must feel confident that you are providing outstanding service while at the same time implementing actions to protect them. Remember, perception is the key.

If there’s one trend that food producers can’t ignore, it’s sustainability. Across all sectors, consumers are looking for ways to minimize their impact on the environment through the products they buy. In fact, Nielsen surveys say 73% of consumers are willing change to their buying habits to be more sustainable.

The COVID-19 headlines about meatpacking and processing plants closing should be enough for any similar business to pause and reflect: This could easily happen to anyone in the food and beverage industry. 

Owners and managers of small meat plants have a significant impact on the success of the business with which they are involved. During good times, they can help their company grow and prosper and achieve long term success. 

There remains a great deal of uncertainty in the world right now. That uncertainty extends to all aspects of our lives, including our businesses. Setting aside the personal toll taken by the spread of the novel coronavirus and resultant COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are struggling because of disruptions caused by mandatory closures, travel bans, quarantines and worker shortages. 

Andy Hanacek asks that people maintain proper perspective when lobbing criticism at a national beer brand for its efforts to market itself as a supporter of sustainability and organic farming.

There is a growing interest in the holistic nature of harvesting wild game. Previous research has shown that the harvest of game animals is an important tool in environmental conservation and serves as a means for promoting animal biodiversity.