Supporting Associates, Their Families and NatureSweet Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic
NatureSweet Tomatoes prizes its associates. So much so, that consumers can find portraits and stories of NatureSweet employees included on the recognizable packaging for its snacking tomatoes and boldly presented on the company’s website. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NatureSweet’s focus on its people remains strong as the company is taking action to care for NatureSweet associates, their families and local communities.
To make sure associates know how to stay safe, the company is making informative video and audio announcements at its facilities about health and safety at work and home during the pandemic. Social distancing is being supported in the greenhouse facilities and offices through changes such as rearranging the cafeterias, adding shifts to reduce the number of people on-site at one time and using more buses to transport employees to and from work.
NatureSweet front-line workers are receiving bonuses, sundries and safety kits that include face masks, hand sanitizer and supplies to clean and disinfect their homes. Paid-leave time allows at-risk associates to stay safe at home.
NatureSweet Tomatoes recognizes the importance of taking care of mental and emotional well-being in addition to physical health, and is providing training for associates to address anxiety and other mental health issues brought on by these uncertain times. To ease the disruption of daily life at home, entertainment like board games and contests has been sent to employee families.
“We see bringing joy to the families that support our associates as vital to our mission,” said NatureSweet Tomatoes Vice President of Marketing Lori Castillo.
Food remains a timeless way to connect and show appreciation. NatureSweet is providing special thank-you lunches and snacks to associates once a week and distributing grocery packs to take home. In addition to donations of medical equipment and protective gear, NatureSweet is supporting the communities surrounding its facilities with its own fresh tomatoes. As of early May, the company had donated 1.3 million pounds of produce to food banks and indigenous community organizations across the United States and Mexico.
“We’re doing everything we can to support our associates and their families, and we’re prepared to take additional actions as needed,” said NatureSweet Tomatoes President and CEO Rodolfo Spielmann. “We hope the rest of the tomato industry – and the entire agriculture industry – joins us in raising up these workers who are the lifeforce of our global food system.”
NatureSweet Tomatoes has nine EFI-certified locations in the United States and Mexico. Find out how EFI is supporting EFI-certified growers and farmworkers during the pandemic by visiting equitablefood.org/coronavirus.
