NatureSweet® Tomatoes is working to transform the lives of their NatureSweet associates, their families, and communities during the COVID‐19 pandemic. When grocery trips drastically reduced in March due to closed retailers, and the uncertainty of a “normal” future was looming, NatureSweet Associates jumped into action with their tomatoes.
Donating over 1.3 million pounds of produce to food banks across the US and communities in Mexico, sending family safety kits home with
our Associates (PPE materials, cleaning supplies, and family board games), and donating community safety kits where they operate, NatureSweet kept people their #1 priority.
Credit: San Antonio Food Bank.
“A shared belief that our wellbeing is dependent upon our decisions and not our circumstances led to the mobilization and delivery of comfort, relief, and hope that it’ll all be OK in the form of small and delicious tomatoes, along with other medical equipment,” said NatureSweet President & CEO Rodolfo Spielmann. “We’re doing
everything we can to support our Associates and their families, and we’re prepared to take additional actions as needed. 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.”
In addition to increasing its already comprehensive cleaning and food safety policies, the company is also focused on production, and is hiring additional employees to ensure no gaps in supply occur during this time when consumers are relying so heavily on grocery stores.
Right: Rodolfo Spielmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, NatureSweet® Tomatoes.
Guacamole kits to frontline workers
Avocados From Mexico delivered more than 2,000 meals and fresh guacamole kits to grocery distribution warehouses, delivery personnel and store employees in New York City and the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
“We know that our partners throughout the grocery channel are working hard to ensure we have access to food for our families during this time,” said Kevin Hamilton, Avocados From Mexico. “Avocados From Mexico wanted to find some way to support restaurant workers and thank frontline grocery workers for all they are doing by bringing a little Cinco to them.”
AFM partnered with local foodservice partners (Avocaderia in NYC and Monclovas Catering in Dallas) to create avocado-centric meals and kits. Guacamole kits included fresh Avocados From Mexico, chips and other items to make guacamole at home.
“We’re all adapting to new circumstances and, just as Avocaderia has been able to pivot to help employees, Avocados From Mexico is doing the same this Cinco de Mayo,” said Alessandro Biggi, co-owner of Avocaderia. “We’re thankful for Avocados From Mexico’s support for all of New York’s essential food workers.”
For more information:
Lori Castillo
NatureSweet
Tel: +1 (210) 408-853
Email: loricastillo@naturesweet.com
www.naturesweet.com
Rachel Nugent
Tel: +1 (301) 395-0624
Email: rachel.nugent@padillaco.com
www.avocadosfrommexico.com