Our annual July State of the Industry issue is now ready to read in our redesigned digital magazine--even easier to navigate than before. We also feature our annual North American Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Warehouse Guide. put together with the help of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. In this issue, we dive deeper into how COVID-19 has not just impacted, but altered many areas of the cold foods supply chain the first half of 2020. It's a mid-year snapshot that also serves as a map for what will likely continue the rest of the year.

Choptank Transport has awarded $24,000 to 18 qualifying employees through the company's 2020 student loan paydown program. Choptank now has awarded a total of $87,000 through the paydown program since initiating it three years ago.

Kevin’s Natural Foods, makers of Paleo and Keto-certified sous-vide entrées, sauces, and seasoning blends, is providing much needed food to those in need in the Modesto, California, region. The brand donated 40,000 pounds of chicken, sauce, rice and potatoes worth $120,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank June 25. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill announces the Chipotle Virtual Farmers’ Market through Shopify, allowing farmers in the Chipotle supply chain to launch improved versions of their own eCommerce websites. Through individualized online marketplaces, Chipotle suppliers will be able to sell meat, dairy and grain products, and other items directly to consumers across the country. As a digital innovator known for seeking long-term solutions, Chipotle is assisting in the development of each supplier’s site, covering hosting fees on Shopify for two years and supporting the design and development of the direct-to-consumer storefronts.

As healthcare workers across the country continue to face shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), Smithfield Foods is supporting local communities by donating excess face shields to healthcare workers at nursing homes and local hospitals as part of their COVID-19 relief efforts.

On our latest From the Cold Corner Podcast, I discuss the state of frozen foods and COVID-19’s effect on the entire industry with Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI).

Humidity control may be the last thing on your mind right now if you’re running a food processing facility, trying to execute a rapid buildout to meet increased consumer demands. But, as you race to adjust production lines, “dust off” old processing equipment and ultimately ramp up how much food you’re making and storing, dialing in your humidity control will eliminate a handful of costly issues that slow down production.

Weigel’s Convenience Stores announced it will partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee and Second Harvest  Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee to distribute 60,000 gallons of milk to those in need. The announcement was made today via a press conference held at Weigel’s Corporate office in Powell.

Pregis, a leading manufacturer of innovative protective packaging products, has donated more than 5,000 Penguin Pack insulated box liners to Lakeview Pantry, Chicago’s largest food pantry. The donation enabled thousands of senior citizens, and other homebound individuals, to safely receive packages of healthy, fresh groceries through the Pantry’s Home Delivery program.

Sysco has donated 30 million meals across eight countries since mid-March as part of its community response strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic. These donations were valued at over $100 million and included nearly 16 million pounds of fresh produce and approximately six million pounds of fresh dairy products.