b'Cypress Valley U.S. Upholds High Ethical Standards Despite Pandemic in the U.S.By Liz Ellis Photos by Philip DavisANDY SHAW, OWNER AND CO- alone, 239 large-scale processing FOUNDER OF CYPRESS VALLEY MEATfacilities reported a total of 16,233 cases COMPANY in Clinton, Arkansas, isof COVID-19 among workers, with 86 shining a light on how to process meatCOVID-related deaths. By September safely and humanely, even in the face of2020, 56 plants around the country were a pandemic. As the sole meat processorstill closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, for Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative,further straining supply chains.which was formed in partnership withWhile large-scale meat plants struggle Heifer USA, Cypress Valley plays a vitalto control outbreaks and continue to feed role in the food system, linking small- the country, that has not been the case scale farmers and consumers. for Cypress Valley, which continues to But processing and packaging meatoperate safely despite the pandemic. The is a technical, complicated task, and itssecret to this public health achievement? not always done properly. The U.S. meatTurns out, it starts with treating your processing industry has come underworkers well. intense scrutiny during the coronavirusShaw believes that when employees pandemic. Cramped working conditionsare prioritized and treated like family, and crowded floors have made it morethey take pride in every aspect of their difficult for many of the countrys meatwork, including health and safety processors to keep their employeesprotocols, which are essential in the meat COVID-free. In April and May of 2020processing business. And employees 28| SPRING 2021'