FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2020
Manufacturers Express Confidence in Illinois Food Supply Chain
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois manufacturers expressed confidence today that residents of the state will continue having access to food at local stores in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s important for Illinoisans to remain calm and understand that the food supply chain remains strong and robust. Customers will continue having access to safe and nutritious food in stores across the entire state and there is no need to hoard or stockpile food,” said Mark Denzler, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturers are taking the appropriate safety steps to continue feeding Americans and populations across the world.”
In his press conference today, Governor JB Pritzker noted “Illinois’ food supply chain is among the nation’s strongest and steadiest.”
The IMA and its food manufacturing companies are working directly with Governor JB Pritkzer and his administration to provide nutritious food for children who will be out of school for the next two weeks. It’s important to increase truck weight limits and allow for the overnight delivery of product to speed up delivery of product across Illinois.
There is no known transmission of COVID-19 through food.
Here are common sense safety tips to remember when visiting a grocery store:
- Wash your hands and surfaces
- Practice social distancing while in restaurants and stores
- Do not visit a store or restaurant if sick
- Buy a small reserve of shelf-stable food to avoid numerous trips to the store but do not stockpile
- Purchase food for neighbors, elderly, and high-risk residents who should not go out in public
About the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA)
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to advocating, promoting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Illinois. The IMA is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the United States, representing nearly 4,000 companies and facilities. For more information, please visit https://www.ima-net.org/.
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