YAKIMA, WA - As access to the COVID-19 vaccine continues to become more readily available, Superfresh Growers® has launched a new initiative to ensure the health of workers across its operations. The grower recently hosted its first Superfresh Vaccine Clinic on March 23, resulting in the vaccination of 350 Superfresh Growers employees throughout its farm, warehouse, and office teams.
“I am so proud of Superfresh Growers for our leadership dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic this last year,” said Director of Food Safety Derek Tweedy. “It feels great to be one of the first companies to be able to offer an on-site vaccination clinic. This really speaks to having a culture dedicated to being the best in food safety and worker safety, including COVID-19.“
In partnership with Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, the grower was able to launch the first of a number of vaccination clinics planned now that essential farmworkers are eligible in Washington State, according to a company release. The first clinic ran smoothly, with buses of employees arriving at the Superfresh Growers headquarters in Yakima, Washington, throughout the afternoon to receive the vaccine.
“We invited employees across our company’s office, warehouse, and farms—domestic and foreign workers,” said Chafeka Abdellatif, Human Resources Manager. “We offered a $100 incentive, as well as a paid hour of PTO to cover the time taken during the clinic. All the spots we offered were filled, and we still have a waitlist. The demand exceeded the supply of shots we had available, and we look forward to hosting one or two more clinics in the coming months.”
---SLIDESHOWGALLERY---
The grower first began planning this mass effort in February, when word broke of frontline workers becoming eligible for the vaccine. Agriculture, food processing, and grocery store workers all became eligible in the most recent immunization push, which was originally planned for March 22, but was moved up to March 17.
Superfresh Growers is coordinating future vaccination clinics, as demand for the vaccine still exceeds supply. With the help of the state department of health and other agencies, the company will continue the incentive for employees who are able to receive the vaccine from clinics and pharmacies in the area.
AndNowUKnow promises to keep you up to date as more companies launch useful new initiatives like this one, so stay tuned.
