AUSTIN, MN — Hormel Foods on Thursday announced a second special cash bonus for its plant production team members who continue to work to produce food during the COVID-19 outbreak. The new $7 million bonus is in addition to the $4 million bonus paid in April and will be paid to all full- and part-time plant production team members who are stepping up to ensure the company’s brands and products are available during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s well-known products include SKIPPY peanut butter, SPAM products, Justin’s nut butters, Wholly guacamole dips, Herdez salsas, Applegate products, Dinty Moore beef stew and Hormel chili, along with a wide variety of other leading brands and products.
“Throughout this pandemic, our number one priority has been to keep our team members safe, especially those who are not in a position to work remotely," said Jim Snee, chairman, president and CEO of Hormel. "We have worked tirelessly to provide enhanced safety measures including PPE, temperature taking, facility innovation to enhance social distancing, and improved access to COVID-19 testing."
The special bonus includes $500 for full-time team members and $150 for part-time team members. Hormel Foods has also been providing 100 percent base pay and benefits to all team members impacted by COVID-19. When the second bonus is paid during the first week in July, team members will have received a total of $800 for full-time team members and $300 for part-time team members.
"What we are facing today would have been far worse if grocery store shelves were empty," Snee continued. "We know that food has the power to bring us together, even when we can’t be. Along with so many other essential food industry workers, we are doing our part to make sure people can find food at grocery stores, restaurants through carryout and delivery, and even food pantries. As we recognize heroes during this time, we pay tribute to our health care workers and first responders, but we shouldn’t forget the millions of people who are showing up and working hard to keep our food supply chain running. They should be recognized for the heroic and purposeful work they are doing and they have our most sincere appreciation and gratitude.”
The company has invested millions of dollars in the safety of its team members through innovation in its facilities, enhancements to PPE, temperature screenings, COVID-19 testing and focused efforts on facility redesign for social distancing. To date, out of more than 30 production facilities, the majority are unaffected by COVID-19.