Food Trade News

* This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis until it is no longer needed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Safeway COVID-19 page.

April 14

Phase II-Vendor Health Screening Checks IN-STORE W/ OUT TEMP CHECKS

Dear Vendor,
There is no higher priority to us than your health and safety. Over the last several weeks, we have strictly implemented the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We implemented enhanced procedures to ensure our locations and all of our frequently touched surfaces are clean, sanitized and disinfected. We have also encouraged you to practice frequent handwashing and use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
Per a request from the Center for Disease Control, starting on 4-13-20, we will be conducting Health Screening Checks for all associates and vendors out of an abundance of caution. All vendors, including delivery drivers, salespeople, merchandisers, and other vendor employees, must report to the designated Health Screening Station in the store location before they begin any work in the store every day. Vendor employees entering via the Receiving/Back Door must report to the Receiving Area Screening Checkpoint. Vendor employees entering via the Main Entrance must report to the Time Clock Screening Checkpoint.

During the Health Screening check, you will be asked the following question:
Please notify the screener if you answer YES to any of the following questions:
1. Do you have any of the following symptoms, that are unusual for you?
a. Cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, chills and body aches?
2. Do you have any of the following symptoms?
a. diarrhea, nausea/vomiting?
3. Do you have, or feel like you have a fever?
4. Do you have a member of your household suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you answer “Yes” to any of those questions during your Health Check Screening, we will ask you to leave the store immediately and contact your employer and follow your company’s procedures. As always, if you feel sick or if you are experiencing any symptoms, we ask that you not visit our store locations.

Our company and our teams are doing everything possible to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This step is just as important as all the other measures we take every day to ensure we are maintaining a clean, sanitized and disinfected environment.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We hope you stay well during this difficult time and thank you for all you are doing to help our communities weather this pandemic.

Stephanie Maxwell Ridoré, Esq
Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations

April 9

Vendor Health Screening Self-Checks (Phase I)

Dear Vendor,

There is no higher priority to us than your health and safety. Over the last several weeks, we have strictly implemented the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We implemented enhanced procedures to ensure our locations and all our frequently touched surfaces are clean, sanitized and disinfected. We have also encouraged you to practice frequent handwashing and use hand sanitizer throughout the day.

Out of an abundance of caution, starting immediately, we will be asking all associates and vendors to conduct Health Screening Self-Checks. Health Screening Self-Check Signs will be posted by the store’s time clock and by the store’s Receiving/Back Door. 

The Health Screening Self-Check will ask you to immediately notify your supervisor if you answer YES to any of the following questions:

1. Do you have any of the following symptoms, that are unusual for you?
   1. Cough?
   2. Shortness of breath?
   3. Sore throat?
   4. Chills and body aches?
2. Do you have any of the following symptoms?
   1. Diarrhea?
   2. Nausea/vomiting?
3. Do you have, or feel like you have a fever?
4. Do you have a member of your household suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19?

 All vendors, including delivery drivers, salespeople, merchandisers, and other vendor employees, must report to the designated Health Screening Self-Check Station in the store location and complete the self-check before they begin any work in the store every day.  Vendor employees entering via the Receiving/Back Door must report to the Receiving Area Screening Self-Check Station.  Vendor employees entering via the Main Entrance must report to the Time Clock Screening Self-Check Station.

If you answer “Yes” to any of those questions during your Health Check Screening, please leave the store immediately and contact your employer and follow your company’s procedures.  As always, if you feel sick or if you are experiencing any symptoms, we ask that you not visit our store locations.

Our company and our teams are doing everything possible to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This step is just as important as all the other measures we take every day to ensure we are maintaining a clean, sanitized and disinfected environment.

Please let me know if you have any questions. We hope you stay well during this difficult time and thank you for all you are doing to help our communities’ weather this pandemic.

Division HR Lead

Letter To Customers

To our valued customers and neighbors,

This week, families and friends throughout our region will observe Passover and Easter. From the Safeway family to yours, I want to share our warmest holiday wishes.

Together, as a region and as a nation, we are facing an unprecedented health crisis that limits our ability to physically gather to celebrate. But whether you are sitting down to a small Passover seder in person or an Easter dinner connected via online video, our stores are here to help make your holidays special.

We are also working to help keep our customers, associates, and vendors safe. As we all navigate the COVID-19 public health crisis together, please know Safeway is doing everything we can to prioritize the health of our associates, customers, and vendors, and to ensure our customers have access to the food, medications, and other essential goods you need at this critical time.

Every day our team looks for ways to improve our key services and safety measures. Today I’d like to share some updates, including significant actions we have recently taken and new procedures we are adding this week.

Easter Sunday, April 12

To allow our employees time to spend with their families, all Eastern Division Safeway stores in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Delaware will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 12^th. Our stores will reopen at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 13^th.

New Store Hours

• To allow for deep cleaning, sanitizing, and restocking, all Safeway Eastern Division stores (with the exception of select stores operating 24 hours/7 days a week) will now be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Safeway has reserved every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7-9 a.m. so senior citizens, pregnant women, and customers with compromised immune systems can avoid crowds. We have asked all customers to please respect these special hours for our at-risk customers who need them most.
• To accommodate at-risk customers, all Safeway pharmacies will now open at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Safety and Cleaning Protocols We’ve Already Put in Place

•         Our stores installed Plexiglas sneeze guards at check stands and other service counters to provide a protective barrier between customers and our cashiers and customer service associates.

•         Every day, throughout each day, we are implementing enhanced measures to clean and disinfect all departments, restrooms, and other high touch points in our stores.

•         Our store associates are washing their hands at least once per hour and are asked to stay home if they feel sick.

•         Our associates are allowed to wear gloves and masks. We are in the process of sourcing disposable masks, and we will distribute them to associates as soon as they are available.

•         Cart wipes and hand sanitizer stations are available at key locations within our stores for our customers’ safety and convenience.

•         We have paused self-service operations like soup bars, wing bars, and salad bars.

•         All of our stores are implementing social distancing practices. We are making regular audio announcements, and we have installed signage and designated waiting spots with floor markers at check stands and other stations where people most often congregate, such as our service delis, bakeries, meat, and seafood departments, and pharmacies. At check stands, we are asking customers to please wait until the customer in front of them has finished collecting their groceries before unloading.

 Enhanced Social Distancing Through One-Way Traffic

Starting Friday, April 10^th, our stores will be placing directional arrows on floors to promote one-way foot traffic through stores, including up and down aisles. This is in addition to decals already on the floors marking off 6-foot spaces at check stands and other areas that can cause lines to form.

Limiting Store Occupancy

Also, on Friday, our stores will limit occupancy levels to one person per 150 square feet during normal business hours and one person per 300 square feet during special hours reserved for seniors and other vulnerable customers (Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7-9 a.m.). Each store will utilize one front entrance/exit to ensure enforcement, and a store associate will be assigned to the doors to manage traffic.

Self-Check Health Screenings 

This week, Safeway stores are posting signs at entrances and in back rooms that ask everyone who visits our stores to perform a self-screening prior to shopping or clocking in. The signs ask associates, customers, and vendors to stay home if:

·         a member of their household has been diagnosed with or is suspected to have COVID-19, or

·         they have symptoms, including a cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, or chills and body aches

Dedicated Cleaning Staff

To maintain enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, our stores have assigned associates to positions exclusively responsible for cleaning surfaces throughout the stores.

Masks for all store, distribution, and manufacturing associates

We are in the process of sourcing masks for all front-line associates, and we will distribute them as soon as they are available. As a reminder, the CDC continues to recommend social distancing of at least six feet, even while wearing masks.

As we continue to serve our communities during the crisis, we will adjust our procedures to address new developments and meet changing needs. We appreciate our customers patience and understanding, and we will continue to keep you updated.

On behalf of our entire team at Safeway, it is an honor to serve the community at this important time. We look forward to helping you prepare for the upcoming holidays.

Sincerely,

Tom Lofland

President

Safeway, Eastern Division

April 8

Safeway Eastern Division Stores Announce Additional Safety and Cleanliness Measures

Limited store occupancy, one-way foot traffic decals, self-screenings for symptoms, dedicated cleaning staff among new measures being implemented across the division’s stores and distribution centers

Lanham, MD – Safeway is introducing several new precautionary measures to its stores in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Delaware to further protect associates and customers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“As we continue to serve our communities during the crisis, the health and safety of everyone who walks through our doors remains a top priority,” said Tom Lofland, President of Safeway’s Eastern Division. “We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.”

The following measures will be implemented this week:

Enhanced social distancing through one-way traffic: Stores will place directional arrows on the floors to promote one-way foot traffic through stores, including up and down aisles. This is in addition to decals already on the floor marking off 6-foot spaces at the checkstands and other areas that can cause lines to form like our deli, bakery, meat, seafood, and pharmacy departments.

Limited Store Occupancy: Stores will limit occupancy levels to one person per 150 square feet during normal business hours and one person per 300 square feet during special hours reserved for seniors and other vulnerable customers (Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7-9 a.m.). Each store will utilize one front entrance/exit to ensure enforcement and a store associate will be assigned to the doors to manage traffic.

Self-check health screenings: Safeway is posting signs at entrances and in back rooms that ask everyone to perform a self-screening prior to shopping or clocking in. The signs ask associates, customers, and vendors to stay home if:

• a member of their household has been diagnosed with or is suspected to have COVID-19, or
• they have symptoms, including a cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, or chills and body aches

Dedicated cleaning staff: To maintain enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, Safeway stores have assigned associates to positions exclusively responsible for cleaning surfaces throughout the stores.

Masks for all store, distribution, and manufacturing associates: Safeway is in the process of sourcing reusable masks for all front-line associates and will distribute them as soon as they are available. As a reminder, the CDC continues to recommend social distancing of at least six feet, even while wearing masks.

New Store Hours:

1. To allow for deep cleaning, sanitizing, and restocking, all Safeway Eastern Division stores (with the exception of select stores operating 24 hours/7 days a week) will now be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Safeway has already reserved every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7-9 a.m. so senior citizens, pregnant women and customers with compromised immune systems can avoid crowds. We have asked all customers to please respect these special hours for our at-risk customers who need them most.
• To accommodate at-risk customers, all Safeway pharmacies will now open at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.These measures are already in place:

• Installed Plexiglas sneeze guards at check stands.
• Placed social distancing posters and floor markers in the stores.
• Paused self-service operations like soup bars, wing bars, and salad bars.
• Enhanced measures to clean and disinfect all departments, restrooms, and other high touchpoints of the stores, every day.
• Making cart wipes and hand sanitizer stations available at key locations within the store for customers’ convenience.
• Ensuring that store associates are able to wash their hands at least one time per hour and reminding them to stay home if they feel sick.

* This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis until it is no longer needed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Seafood Expo North America website.

April 2

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America New Dates Announced
Postponed event rescheduled for the Fall of 2020

Portland, Maine (April 2, 2020) – Today, Diversified Communications, organizer of the annual Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, announced the new dates for its 2020 event. The expo will take place at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center this September 2020, with an exhibit hall open on September 23rd and 24th, and a conference program that will start on September 22nd.

In the last few months and weeks, the seafood industry and community, along with the rest of the world, have been experiencing some of the most tumultuous, emotionally and economically challenging times. “While navigating this unprecedented situation, we know there is a need for business continuity and are committed to providing a platform that will bring back together the industry suppliers and buyers who, due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, were prevented from meeting in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Liz Plizga, Group Vice President, Diversified Communications.

The September dates were carefully chosen in consideration of the recent escalating situation with COVID-19, the venue availability, as well as feedback from customers and high-volume retail and foodservice Key Buyers from North America.

“It is fair to say that this year’s event will not be like any other years,” added Plizga. “However, the Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America team is dedicated to delivering a high-quality event and services that are as similar as possible to what our customers have come to expect over the years.”

The September edition will feature a solutions-driven conference program led by industry experts covering today’s most relevant topics. The exhibit hall, which will be held in Halls B and C, will highlight special programs like the New and Featured Product Showcases where buyers can identify the latest seafood product, equipment and services, innovations and trends.

In the coming weeks, Diversified Communications and its official partners, will reach out to exhibitors, buyers and other seafood professionals to provide further details about the September event. New information will be included at seafoodexpo.com/north-america.

* This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis until it is no longer needed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the C&S Wholesale Grocers News & Media page.

April 7

C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS AND SYSCO PARTNERTO GET GROCERIES TO NEW YORK *** C&S DEDICATED TO KEEPING FAMILIES ACROSS AMERICA FED DURING PANDEMIC

C&S Wholesale Grocers and Sysco have partnered together to help get food to New York during the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. This innovative partnership is one of several C&S has entered into during this crisis to ensure delivery of food and essentials to families across America. The partnership will allow C&S Wholesale Grocers to alleviate a potential worker shortage stemming from increased food retail demands, while transferring Sysco’s personnel to similar job functions while demand is temporarily lower in the foodservice industry.

Who:               C&S Wholesale Grocers and Sysco Corporation

What:              C&S Wholesale Grocers and Sysco have entered into an innovative             partnership to provide temporary work opportunities for certain Sysco warehouse and delivery associates. These individuals remain employees of Sysco during the period of time they work at C&S, with Sysco being responsible for providing the agreed upon compensation, as well as any other benefits associates typically receive.

 When:             Effective immediately

Mike Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, C&S Wholesale Grocers:

Our agreement with Sysco, as well as our other key partnerships recently announced, will enable us to handle the increasing grocery needs of communities around the country. C&S is continuously looking at ways to get food and critical products to all of our retail customers. This new partnership allows us to focus on a region that has been devastated by this health crisis and honor our commitment to keep our New York families fed.

March 30

C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS EXPANDS BENEFITS, PROVIDES BONUS PAY AND ADDITIONAL TIME OFF TO EMPLOYEES ON THE FRONTLINES OF FEEDING AMERICA DURING GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Keene, N.H. — C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S., announced it will provide frontline workers with a special appreciation bonus and all employees with additional paid time off (PTO), among other significant benefits enhancements, in the wake of challenges caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“For the last several weeks, every C&S employee has gone above and beyond to help feed our communities amid this unprecedented situation,” said Mike Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, C&S Wholesale Grocers. “Our frontline employees are working countless hours to ensure shelves are stocked and families have food, and I couldn’t be prouder of their grit and efforts. As with all of the difficulties that we have faced at C&S, we have risen to the occasion together.”

Since the onset of the pandemic, C&S has launched a series of policies and practices to help support their employees’ personal and work lives. The wholesaler has updated its PTO policies to allow employees to take advantage of both paid and unpaid time off due to COVID-19-related issues, even when they have exhausted their personal or sick time. The Company also announced a quarantine pay policy that allows employees to receive their full pay for the duration of a workplace quarantine, for up to two weeks. C&S is encouraging sick employees to stay home and covering 100 percent of the cost of Telemedicine, a service that offers them the ability to speak to a board-certified doctor by phone or video, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company also has instructed all employees who can work from home to do so.

“It has been humbling to see the relentless dedication of every C&S employee. We are fully focused on ensuring our employees have the resources to care for themselves and their families during this time.” said Miriam Ort, Chief Human Resources Officer, C&S Wholesale Grocers. “Our frontline employees have made the sacrifice to go out to work every day, at a time that others are being told to stay home. Our special appreciation awards are a way to recognize them for their selfless dedication to keeping our communities fed.”

* This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis until it is no longer needed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Food Industry Alliance of New York State (FIA) website.

March 26

The last two weeks have presented unprecedented challenges that impact our individual daily lives, our industry and our state and nation’s economy.  As we navigate these uncharted waters, the FIA team is working around the clock each day to provide our members with the necessary developments and information they need to continue operating effectively to ensure the communities they serve have the food and medicine they need.

 The FIA team is discussing issues daily with the Cuomo Administration, with NYC government officials and other local leaders.  While each day presents a new set of challenges, FIA is proud to have made an impact in public policy for our members across New York in getting vital regulatory relaxations, improved communication and guidance across all levels of government.  

 Equally as important, in times of chaos and confusion, certain themes emerge that have an impact on perspective in the aftermath.  Lawmakers, policymakers and the general public are seeing the strength, resiliency and the plethora of moving parts within our industry.  “Thank you Grocery Workers” is a common narrative on social and traditional media.  The investments in communities and the necessity of our industry has never been more apparent and spoken widely with recognition. No longer is this just advocacy speak.  This is real life and our hope is that this public awareness extends beyond the duration of this public health crisis.

 Further, this crisis has shed light on the numerous layers of regulations and redundancies that impact our industry and business as a whole in New York.  There often are direct conflicts between municipal, state and federal regulations on myriad of issues, which has been a significant source of confusion as the industry endures this crisis.  These redundancies must be given serious analysis post health crisis and FIA will be engaging at the state and local level on a number of them.  

 Another point of pride during this time is the relationship our industry has with other industries.  FIA has been working with the restaurant industry to help with the dramatic downscaling of their operations.  We also have been discussing and coordinating daily with NY’s craft distillery industry to help boost hand sanitizer supplies for our retail employees to use.  The collaboration and coordination within New York’s business community has been essential navigation these uncharted waters.

 Our website is updated daily (www.fiany.com) with the latest developments and resource/guidance documents that emerge.  I encourage all stakeholders of the retail food industry in New York to visit daily for the essential regulatory news and information. 

 I and my team have never been more proud to represent our members.  We will all emerge stronger when this is over and the value and strength we have shown will only bolster our essential standing across New York.

 I wish you all the best and to stay safe during this difficult time.

Mike Durant

President and CEO, Food Industry Alliance, NYS