Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1238445
22 Sugar Producer MAY 2020 FROM THE ASGA Luther Markwart | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Built for Crisis The American food industry can and will find a way to adequately serve the American people. the coronAviruS (covid-19) pAndemic chAnged the world At unprecedented Speed. cleArly, our nAtion wAS unprepAred for Something of thiS mAgnitude. Credible information at the highest levels of government fell short. While protecting family, employees and workplaces was of paramount importance, our focus was and still is ensuring continuity of the nation's food supply. Responding to these challenges required significant conversation and collaboration by the private sector and federal departments and agencies. Without federal preemption, states could make independent decisions that could restrict the movement of goods across localities. Letters were sent to the president, all governors, and congressional leadership, addressing issues such as truck weights, hours of service, and idle transportation assets re-registration, among others. Industry also worked to ensure seed, fertilizer and pesticides for the 2020 crop were able to reach their destinations. Typically, half the food consumed across the country is consumed outside the home. As much of the restaurant industry closed, the dominant source of food shifted to grocery stores. This was a huge shift in distribution and delivery channels. Mark Cohen, the director of retail studies at the Columbia Business School said, "We've whittled down the inefficiencies to the point where logical and orderly demand creates logical and orderly re-supply. But this is a different situation: This is serial hoarding—and no part of the machine that supplies consumers is geared for this." Our objective was to get product on the shelves and demonstrate we have a reliable and secure food supply. Having a strong domestic supply of essential ingredients, like sugar, has been taken for granted. After we emerge at the other end of COVID-19, we expect that domestic supply chains will begin to take priority over global ones. In case anyone forgets, we will use the 2023 farm bill as a reminder. Having a strong domestic supply of essential ingredients, like sugar, has been taken for granted. After we emerge at the other end of COVID-19, we expect that domestic supply chains will begin to take priority over global ones.