b'even go out of their way to improve upon themfor example, if a customer forgets a mask during a Cypress Valley pick-up order, they are provided with masks, gloves and other protective gear to use and take home. This is because an employee noticed customers werent always prepared, so he texted Shaw to suggest the improvement long after he had clocked out from his shift. Cody Harper, assistant plant manager at Natural State Processing, which is owned and operated by Cypress Valley Meat, credits the business success to Shaws leadership. It comes from the top, Harper said. The ethics and attitude of the leadershipand Andys eye for talent have built a team of superstars who love their jobs. KerryWhen employees are prioritized and Harrington, processing coordinator at Natural State, added that a companystreated like family, they take pride in every culture can make all the difference.aspect of their work, including health and Plucking tail feathers for the right person is what showed me I didnt wantsafety protocols, which are essential into become a surgeon, Harrington said. It isnt just dedication to providingthe meat processing business.a healthy, safe and happy environment for the frontline plant workers who package our food that makes CypressIn fact, Shaw thinks more peopleTOP LEFTValley unique. The company respectswill see the value of smaller businessesThe Cypress Valley Meat Company all beings who enter its doors, whetherlike Cypress Valley on the heels of theprocessing facility in its the animals, farmers, plant workerspandemic. Coming out of this, we willClinton, Arkansas.or customers, and thats somethingsee a more decentralized food system,LEFTthat has held strong throughout thesaid Shaw.Andy Shaw, CEO of COVID-19 crisis. A decentralized food system is oneCypress Valley Meat that relies on small, more localizedCompany.businesses to grow, package and shipTOP RIGHTfood. While large-scale producers andEmployees at Cypress Valley Meat processors are easily grounded byCompany process disaster, a network of smaller businessesand package chicken for Grass Roots can be more resilient. For example, ifFarmers Co-Op.one is forced to suspend operations for a time, other local processors could stepBOTTOM RIGHTCody Harper, in to fill the gaps and keep the supplyassistant plant chain moving. Lifting up and embracingmanager at Natural State, which is owned more direct, regionalized supply chainsand operated by could help to strengthen the entire U.S.Cypress Valley, poses food system, and under Shaws direction,for a photo on the job.Cypress Valley is building a model for the rest of the country to emulate.nHEIFER.ORG |29'