SW Minnesota Today

The meat processing company, Hormel Foods, announced earlier this month that it will be giving bonuses to its full and part-time employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Austin-based processing plant, and its subsidiary, Jennie-O Turkey, has confirmed that it would be giving out $7 million in bonuses. The bonuses will be handed out to its workers "who are stepping up to ensure the company's trusted brands and products are available during the pandemic," Hormel announced.

According to Bring Me The News, Hormel will reward $500 for full-time employees and $150 for part-time employees. Hormel said the bonuses will be paid to employees in July. Hormel said the bonuses will be in addition to the $300 for full-timers $150 for part-timers that were already paid out at the beginning of April.

Jim Snee, Hormel CEO, said the bonuses are the company's sense of responsibility to its workers. He said the bonuses will ensure safe, quality meat during the coronavirus crisis.

"We do this all with a sense of responsibility and pride as we maintain the constant supply of safe, high-quality food which has provided a sense of security and comfort to millions of Americans," Snee said.

He said that the coronavirus crisis would be worse with empty grocery store shelves.

"What we are facing today would have been far worse if grocery store shelves were empty," Snee said.

Snee also paid tribute to the local healthcare workers and first responders.

"As we recognize heroes during this time, we pay tribute to our health care workers and first responders, but we shouldn't forget the millions of people who are showing up and working hard to keep our food supply chain running," Snee said.

According to Bring Me The News, reports from many media outlets show that over 150 of the country's largest meat processing factories are presently operating in counties with the highest coronavirus infection rates.