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A curious string of fires are destroying food processing facilities across America amid a developing chronic supply chain and food shortage crisis.

Home » US » A String of Fires Destroys Food Processing Facilities Across America A String of Fires Destroys Food Processing Facilities Across America By Neil Campbell Neil lives in Canada and writes about society and politics. Published: April 21, 2022 Twitter Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Email In a file photo, firefighters battle a fire at Atlantic Coast Fibers recycling plant in Passaic, New Jersey, on January 30, 2021. Multiple U.S. food processing facilities have been hit with fires or other calamities in the last 30 days. (Image: KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images) A curious string of fires and plane crashes over the last month have destroyed the facilities of at least five major food processors across four different states, exacerbating an escalating inflation and supply chain crisis that is quickly becoming chronic. The most recent instance appears to be the destruction of Oregon-based Azure Standard’s joint headquarters and warehouse facilities during the night of April 18. Azure Standard Headquarters In the text of an email alerting affiliates to the damage, the company describes itself as “the USA’s largest independent food distributor.” It notes that “basically any…liquid product,” such as honey, oil, and vinegar, will be out of stock as a result of the damage. Azure Standard also states it lost its fruit packing and carob product facility in the blaze, but expects limited effect as a result of the fruit harvesting season not yet being in swing. EMERGING SOCIETAL CRISIS: Virtual Reality an ‘Effective Tool’ To Force Consumer Behavior Change: StudyThe World’s Top Producer of the World’s Most Used Vegetable Oil Is About to Ban ExportsFires Hit Russian Research Center, Country’s Largest Chemical Plant on the Same Day SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER For the best of our weekly content！ There is something wrong, please try again later By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and to receive messages from Vision Times. SIGN UP Success You are now signed up for our newsletter Success Check your email to complete sign up The blaze appears to have received almost zero media attention, only being covered in a terse rewrite of the press release by small town media outlet Columbia Gorge News and the Columbia Community Connection News (CCC) blog. CCC reported that records from the local county Sheriff’s log stated “Lights flickered; They heard a pop and went up there to check it out and there was a fire.” By the time fire responders arrived, with only one truck and four men, there was already a hole in the roof with flames bursting forth. It took approximately 45 minutes for reinforcement units to arrive. According to the outlet, company CEO David Steltzer was on the scene when the fire occurred. Additionally, Fire Chief Jon Keyser Jr. was paraphrased as stating that “Steltzer was removing paperwork from the building” when his initial crew arrived on scene. Keyser was further paraphrased as stating the building was “loaded with fuels including vegetable and nut oils made from canola, coconut and olives,” which made the fire difficult to handle with water as foam-based products are required to smother the flames. Taylor Farms On April 13, a major food California processing plant belonging to Taylor Farms burned almost completely to the ground. USA Today affiliate The Californian quoted Deputy Fire Chief Sam Klemek as saying, “About 85% to 95% of the building is a total loss.” The article states the facility employed almost 1,000 people. “There are parts of the building that are separate, that are still operational. As far as the main processing facility, it’s considered a total loss,” added Klemek. The blaze was especially significant as local residents fell under a shelter-in-place order resulting from the risk of 35,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia held on site, which although fortunately avoided catching fire and exploding disastrously, nonetheless suffered a “moderate leak” that “has been secured on site,” said Klemek. RELATED READING: Russia Admits Heavy Pressure Under Sanctions, But Says Its Economy Far From CollapseUS Rail Carriers Are Cutting Fertilizer, Grain, Coal ShipmentsCP Rail Blaming Union for Work Stoppage Threatening Canadian Farm OutputMore Bad News for Consumers: Visa and Mastercard Will Hike Merchant Fees In April An update on the company’s website described the Salinas facility as its primary production facility. Taylor Farms is a major player in the food supply chain for both Canada and the United States. According to a company press release, the firm was recognized by Walmart as its 2022 Food Supplier of the Year in March. Although the company is a private firm and does not publicly disclose financial reports for shareholders, websites such as Zippia and Zoominfo estimate annual revenues at between $2 and $3 billion. Industry outlet Western Farm Press described the facility as one that “manufactures wholesale products like bulk salads and shredded lettuce used by r...

A String of Fires Destroys Food Processing Facilities Across America - Vision Times