Food workers ‘essential’

Springdale ‘blessed’ by Tyson, George’s, Cargill, mayor says

We are living in unusual and trying times. Throughout the history of this great nation, when we’ve faced adversity, Americans have united, sacrificed and ultimately defeated threats to our freedoms and way of life.

Today we face a different kind of challenge, covid-19. Our nation can emerge from this stronger, more united and better prepared than ever before. It’s going to take more of the same enduring spirit, and I’m thankful this is a strong suit for Arkansas and Springdale.

In times like these, we notice and appreciate people, relationships and even provisions we recently took for granted. I know all of us would be quick to recognize and support those on “the front lines,” who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way as we work to defeat the virus.

No doubt our first responders and health care professionals deserve our continued support and gratitude. Words really can’t express the appreciation we have for them and the incredible work done by our medical community.

There are also other essential workers working hard to make it possible for the rest of us to have a safe, abundant and affordable food supply.

Being a Springdale native, I’m specifically talking about the hard-working members of our poultry industry. This sector has deep roots here and has been a major factor in the growth and development of this region.

We’re blessed to have Tyson Foods, George’s Inc. and Cargill Inc. — three leaders keeping our essential workers safe and keeping chicken stocked in the meat case and available for carry-out orders.

There are so many great manufacturers, more than 130 that call Springdale home. They employ more than 8,000 people here, which means more than 20 percent of our workforce is in manufacturing.

We’re blessed to have poultry and manufacturing industries that remain essential to consumers and the economic ripple effect that food and agriculture create.

The folks working in our food production facilities make it possible for us to support our local restaurants, grocery stores and to feed our families in spite of these difficult circumstances.

We also greatly appreciate our retail workers, delivery people, truck drivers, restaurants with curb-side pickup and all of the hard-working people who are giving so much to help take care of our families and communities. It’s equally important to recognize all of these businesses and industries for doing all they can to provide safe workplaces and to keep supplies flowing.

We still have many hard-working residents and business owners who are holding on by a thread. Many of our neighbors have been laid off, through no fault of their own, and have real questions about whether their jobs will still be there when this is over. We need to remember them also. They need help soon.

Thanks to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s reasoned and targeted approach, many businesses have been able to remain open in Arkansas, and it’s been wonderful to see our community rally around our small businesses and restaurants as we do all we can to help them survive. Please keep that spirit going.

And the next time you sit down for a meal, whether carried out from a local restaurant, or purchased at the grocery store and prepared at home, I hope you’ll join me in a word of thanksgiving for those neighbors working in an essential industry that helped make that meal possible.