We're All In This Together: Wilkinson Describes Industry's Actions to Combat COVID-19

Written by: Victoria Broehm   |   March 27, 2020

Coronavirus, Supporting local communities, Ensuring a stable food supply, Podcast, Worker safety

“It’s a challenging time but I think our industry, the animal food industry, we’re here. We’re ready to help. We’re going to make sure our livestock and poultry and companion animals have the food that they need so you and I can continue to have the food that we need…for our families.”

That is the message that Leah Wilkinson, AFIA’s vice president of public policy and education, told Feedstuff’s editor Sarah Muirhead in a 15-minute podcast interview this week on how the U.S. animal food industry has been preparing its workforce and operations to protect public health and prevent supply disruptions.

Wilkinson discussed many topics, including the:

• “Essential” business designation for the animal feed and pet food industry
• State policies on critical infrastructure, e.g., keeping feed and pet food retail stores open
• Changes animal food facilities are making to incorporate social distancing and reduce the risks of employees from contracting COVID-19
• Use of technology to communicate with personnel and customers
• Monitoring the supply chain to ensure ingredients are moving
• Preparing the industry for what’s next, such as “hot pockets” of virus spread.