Simply stated, the past three months have been quite the challenge! We have navigated, and continue to navigate, one of the most disruptive times we have ever experienced. Historically, when we would discuss disruption, we were talking about challenger brands changing the rules, new direct-to-consumer business models, E-Commerce evolutions or product innovations. Today, disruption has taken on a new meaning that transcends us personally, as well as professionally.

Personally, we have made many significant adjustments and sacrifices in the three categories of easy, hard and painful. Professionally, we have also made many significant adjustments in the same three categories. Whether working remotely or working on-site, we are working differently. Fortunately, our can-do, entrepreneurial, passionate spirit that we have always prided ourselves on, has served us well. Our flexibility has allowed us to rise to the challenges before us rather than be overwhelmed by them.

We are profoundly fortunate to be in the food and beverage industry. We are an essential service. Recently, consumer food and beverage purchasing surged to unprecedented levels. The surge placed strains on the entire food supply chain and we, too, were challenged to meet the increased demand. However, we were prepared, we persevered and we performed!

During this time of disruption, getting done what needs to be done is taking extra effort. Reliable resources have become less reliable. Easy to do things take longer to do. Phone calls, emails and Zoom chats have replaced quick huddles and team meetings. And it seemingly appears that there is always more that needs to be done. We are all putting in the extra effort and “getting the doing done”! We are making a difference! Our determination and attention to detail ensure that all the little things come together in a big way so that we supply our retailers and consumers with the products they love at their moment of great need. Well done!

We are accomplishing things that larger companies have been struggling to do and our Retail and E-Commerce partners are taking notice. Have we collected a number of bumps and bruises along the way? Yes, business is a contact sport. Yet we are rising to the challenge of managing fluid supply chain shipments and modifying production plans to meet the evolving consumer demands and new retailer requirements. While it has not been easy, we have made it happen! Thank you!

The challenges we face are far from over. We have the ability to pivot to meet these challenges rather collapse under their weight. Great team work is the backbone of each great company. We will get through these challenging time together.