Meals that Matter

It's been a year since Joplin, Missouri faced the worst tornado in US history since record keeping began in 1950. The EF-5 tornado took so much from them; their homes, cars, livelihood... basically everything. So much devastation, as far as the eye could see. Homes, businesses and the saddest of all... 161* lives were lost and thousands were homeless Sunday May 22, 2011 when a tornado ripped through the heart of town. It took the top two floors of a solidly built hospital, it took schools and nursing homes and shopping centers. It took homes and trees and front yards where kids used to play. Joplin was a beautiful small town, Home Sweet Home to 50,000 people. Joplin was a great place to raise kids and buy a home and grow old. In only a few minutes their world was turned upside down. 

Within hours, Tyson Foods sent teams of volunteers with grills, food and emergency supplies. For decades now they have responded to disasters by doing what they do best: feed people. The folks at Tyson open their hearts and their wallets to communities just like Joplin whenever they are needed. Last year was an especially demanding time when tornadoes stuck with fury in the US. Just six weeks prior to the Joplin tornado, Tyson was in Northern Alabama with 270,000 pounds of of food. 

Crews from 10 Tyson locations including Monett, Sedalia, Noel, Missouri and Rogers, Arkansas were among the first to help out with the cooking. It's a huge undertaking to organize such an effort, many elements have to "come together." There are so many needs that it's hard to know what services will be needed the most. Food, ice and water, storage for products being cooked, supplies... in all there were 6 tractor trailers on site. In the weeks that followed, 120,000 pounds of food were served to the citizens and emergency workers in the Joplin area. That was a 24/7 job, 2,000-3,000 meals per day.

Much was learned during the weeks that followed. Tyson took those lessons back to headquarters at Springdale, Arkansas and put together a 53 foot, self contained trailer outfitted with enough space to store 20,0000 pounds of meat. The transportation division of Tyson took the lead and planned out a truck that is designed to set up and run a cooking site complete with tents and lights, sanitation equipment, cooking and serving supplies, a generator, hydraulic lift and even a Wi-Fi hot spot via satellite! When disaster strikes, the "Meals that Matter" truck; along with grills and volunteers can be on site within 72 hours.

Ed Nicholson, Tyson's Director of Community Relations, said the company has signed a formal statement of collaboration with the American Red Cross to become a Disaster Responder Partner. "We think that's going to make quick response more efficient, being able to get in and get situated faster. They know us, we know them, so there's some trust built up." The Red Cross counts on partners like Tyson to provide the funds and supplies needed when disaster strikes. Nicholson said food safety is another area where Tyson can help out the Red Cross, "The last thing they want to  do is make people who are hit by tragedy sick... it's critical of what we do."

The residents of Joplin have struggled over the last year to recover and rebuild. With the help of many volunteers and the strength and determination of the Missourians that call Joplin home... the community is on it's feet again. What Americans do best... follow their heart and help others in need!

*The official loss of life was 160, it was later found that one fatality died of  injuries unrelated to the tornado.

Farmers Paying it Forward with Pizza

This weekend there's a real reason to make sure you put Domino's on your table. You may have seen it on Facebook, the Ag Pizza Party is a grassroots movement afoot to support America’s farm families. I read about this first at The Truth About Agriculture, an informative blog that shares the "real truth" about today's agriculture and dispels myths and misinformation that you so often read in the media. We're an agri family, but if you EAT... this should be important to you too!

Besides using the best products that American farmers can produce to make their pizzas, the Domino’s corporation recently declared it trusts animal care experts to decide which practices are best for the production of animals for food. This stand rejects a proposal from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that would require the company's pork suppliers to stop using gestation stalls. Domino's Board of Directors cited the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians' (AASV) published statements that indicate there are advantages and disadvantages to both cage-free and caged pork production methods.

Groups like the Humane Society of the United States are constantly badgering companies to make changes under the guise of animal welfare. In reality, the HSUS gives only 1% of it's budget to local pet shelters. “The Humane Society of the United States intentionally uses manipulative ads to raise money on the backs of abandoned and abused dogs and cats, yet it gives just one penny of each dollar it raises to local pet shelters,” said J. Justin Wilson, senior research analyst for nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF). 

Tyson Foods President and CEO Donnie Smith wrote this in his blog to employees this week, "We support the independent farmers’ right to choose the type of process that allows them to provide humane care for the animals entrusted to them. I believe that the overwhelming majority of farmers that supply us the animals we process share our Core Values and strive to be good stewards of the land, animals, and environment entrusted to us."

So this weekend, I'm going to pick up a couple of pizzas and leave a note for the management of Domino’s. It's a way to pay it forward to America's Farmers.  

This past weekend, we attended the 52nd Annual Poultry Federation Festival. They did a bang up job of planning entertainment to suit everyone! The event has a Bass Tournament on beautiful Beaver Lake, a Golf Tournament at Bella Vista's courses, even skeet shooting, horseshoes and a motorcycle rally! There's a Ladies Luncheon and with all of the great shopping in NW Arkansas, we had plenty to keep ourselves "occupied!" Friday night Little Big Town put on a great concert at the 

John Q.Hammons Convention Center. 

Now when the bunch of fun-loving Tyson Team Members gather for the event, they have to have a "theme!" This year we celebrated Mardi Gras with food and fun at Saturday's Festival.

Teams from different locations competed to win the People's Choice Award.

Tyson of Monett, Missouri had a complete meal of crawdads, artisan chicken sausage (Tyson Team Member Larry's secret recipe!), chicken sausage sliders, red beans and rice, homemade potato chips and beignets!

Contestants take this challenge seriously, it's high praise to win a cooking contest when you work for a food company!

It's also a time to show off your stuff, lot's of fancy smokers were there.

You can't imagine how good it smelled! Lots of secret marinades and spices...

Chicken sausage

Pulled Honey BBQ Chicken~last year's winner!

Everyone was having a great time, despite the 90 degree temps!

You can't expect this group to get together without a little harmless joke or two...

The cooler said "FREE BEER" on top!!!

A lot of people raised their hand to help last week after the worst tornado in six decades bore down on our neighbors to the north Joplin, Missouri. Hundreds homeless and without any shelter or food, the storms kept coming, one after the other. The towns' siren would wail, yet there was no place to go. Except for neighbors who reached out and opened their heart and their homes. From every corner of the world we hurt for them. We sit in our living rooms watching on TV and our hearts broke for their loss of life, home, everything. But America did what Americans do best, we joined hands and resources to help. Even if we couldn't be there to help dig out from the rubble we could do something.

The Red Cross is the first to come, ready and able they set up in the midst of a disaster with volunteers who provide support, comfort and lifesaving blood.

This semi from Michigan's Duro-Last Roofing was loaded with food, diapers, water and other supplies.

Tide set up their Loads of Hope trailers to allow victims a place to wash their dirty clothes, such a blessing for the many who only had the clothes on their backs or clothes that have been given to them.

Convoy of Hope, a faith based organization rushes food and water to the Joplin area.

Tyson Foods organized cook crews and served meals.

Operation BBQ Relief, a large group of competition BBQ Teams brought their professional smokers and proceeded to turn out thousands of delicious meals for the weary tornado victims.

All across the state of Missouri and the nation drives were organized, trucks were loaded and much needed supplies were rushed to Joplin.

No amount was too small to give, every dollar would help.

The hardest job of all, going through the rubble, the clean-up. The families search for anything that can be salvaged. It may look like garbage, but there was once a home there that held pictures and memories.  

Thousands of downed lines to repair, but first the tangle of trees have to be removed. Nothing happens fast, there are days and days of extremely hard work.

Everywhere you look are volunteers trying to provide the necessities of life... a warm meal, clean clothes, a hug.

Today the Johnsonville Brats Company will have the world’s largest grill at Sam’s Club in Joplin cooking and giving away 12,000 brats! They'll be handing out free Gatorade, water, basic apparel, comfort kits, personal hygiene items, bedding, etc.  Free to the Public.. no Membership required. It's a small thing to offer a meal to someone who is hurting, but sometimes... it's the biggest gesture of all.

*On Facebook Joplin Tornado Critical Information has many opportunities to help.

The worst tornado in US history since 1953 took so much from Joplin, Missouri. We spent yesterday there with dozens of other volunteers helping serve meals to the thousands of people who have lost their homes, cars, livelihood... basically everything. So much devastation, as far as the eye can see. Homes, businesses and the saddest of all... lives were lost here Sunday when the F-5 tornado ripped through the heart of town. It took the top two floors of a solidly built hospital, those floors held cardiac patients and the NICU wards with the smallest and newest. It took schools and nursing homes and medical clinics. As it blew away walls of homes it took precious memories, pictures and Grandma's china and the wedding dress that was carefully folded and placed in a cedar chest waiting for their daughter to grow up. It took away trees in front yards where kids used to play, the same trees that provided shade for their parents or even grandparents. Joplin was a beautiful small town that was Home Sweet Home to 50,000 people. It was a great place to raise kids and buy a home and grow old. In only a few minutes their world has been turned upside down. You'd expect their spirits to be broken, but they have a strength inside that is amazing. In this close-knit southern town they lean on each other and appreciate any and all kindnesses that they receive. If you'd like to help out, it's as simple as making a donation to the Red Cross or giving blood. Whatever you can give will help them to rebuild their lives.

Crews from Sedalia, Mo. were cooking when we got there at 8 AM.

These folks traveled from Clarksville, Arkansas with a killer rotisserie smoker like they use on Food Network!

You can count on the big hearts of Tyson to open up their wallets when a disaster happens.

Crews from Monett and Noel, Missouri and Rogers, Arkansas came yesterday to help out with the cooking. The people to work a big effort like this are easy to find. They work day shift or night shift, but they make the time to help out.

Thanks to Lowe's Hardware who provided tables, chairs and canopies. Their generosity to the community with donations of supplies will never be forgotten. Home Depot was leveled Sunday night but has plans to rebuild which is great news.

Both Home Depot and Wal-mart have pledged $1million to the residents of Joplin to help recover and rebuild. It's not going to happen overnight, but it WILL happen. Missourians are strong, determined and they don't know the meaning of "quit!"