“We may never return to normal” is a phrase noted in newspaper articles, echoed by TV anchors and professed by self-proclaimed experts in the era of COVID-19. Certainly, the food and agriculture industries have not been spared the social and economic impacts of this pandemic.

Another weekly excursion to the grocery store, and I am approaching this trip as an adventure. The duration of my trips is increasing as I explore the origins of my food purchases. 

While evaluating the conveyors during the decommission phase of a recent project, I was amazed at the variety of designs, belting, fabrication and, unfortunately, poor sanitary design.

Even with resources focused on filling vacant positions, fully staffed processing facilities are becoming rarities.