Foster Farms has begun providing COVID-19 vaccinations to 1,000 employees at its Cherry Avenue poultry processing facility in Fresno, California. The initiative is a partnership with the Fresno County Public Health Department and Vons Pharmacy, marking the first large-scale vaccination effort for a major food processing workforce in Fresno County.
Throughout the pandemic, Foster Farms has implemented several measures to protect employee health. These include screening for symptoms before entry, mandatory face coverings, partitions at workstations where social distancing is not possible, enhanced sanitation practices reviewed by the USDA, staggered breaks with expanded break areas, and improved ventilation through HEPA portable filters in shared spaces. The company has also conducted over 100,000 COVID-19 tests in the past five months across its facilities.
Vaccination at the Cherry Avenue site is voluntary and provided free of charge to employees. Foster Farms will compensate workers for time spent getting vaccinated and has launched a multilingual communication program to address questions about the vaccine. Most of the 1,000 employees are expected to participate.
The Moderna vaccine requires two doses. Foster Farms plans to complete first-dose administration by February 5 and will provide second doses in early March. Employee participation will be tracked to ensure proper timing between doses. Vaccines are administered on-site by trained Vons Pharmacy staff under supervision of a registered nurse.
“We greatly value the commitment and professionalism of the Fresno Department of Public Health,” said Ira Brill, Foster Farms Vice President Communications. “We have fully aligned our resources to ensure the program is successfully carried out for the benefit of our employees and the community. This includes partnering with Vons Pharmacy, tapping into their expertise to oversee administration of the vaccine.”
David Pomaville, Director of FCDPH, stated: “The Fresno County Department of Public Health is pleased to work with Foster Farms on this pilot project to learn how large employers can implement vaccination clinics at their worksite including learning communication strategies, understanding vaccine uptake, administering doses in different workplace settings, and providing safety protocols. We want to design a scalable model for vaccination clinics that can be used by other employers.”
Narayanan Ramachandran, Director of Pharmacy for Vons said: “Throughout the pandemic, the communities we serve have trusted our pharmacy teams to play a critical role in maintaining their health and wellness. We are proud to partner with Foster Farms working in close coordination with the Fresno County Public Health Department to administer the vaccine safely and efficiently.”
Foster Farms is working with public health officials in Merced and Stanislaus counties on similar programs at other facilities. The company hopes this approach can serve as an example for collaborative efforts between public agencies and private companies.
Both Foster Farms and local health authorities emphasize that vaccination does not replace other preventive measures such as mask-wearing or social distancing.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines from local authorities visit www.fcdph.org/covid19vax.
Since its founding in 1939 by Max and Verda Foster, Foster Farms has operated as a family-owned business specializing in fresh chicken and turkey products without preservatives or sodium enhancers. The company’s main office is located in Livingston within California’s Central Valley; it also operates facilities throughout California as well as Oregon, Washington, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Food safety remains a top priority for Foster Farms which advises consumers always cook poultry products thoroughly—reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit—to ensure safety.
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