"Seneca Foods, Inc. in Yakima, WA shut down on March 26, 2020 due to the COVID-19 and the Governor's Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order of March 24, 2020. The plant reopened on April 13, 2020. it employs approximately 50 full-time permanent employees and the remainder are temps hired through a Temp Agency and some are from the WA State DOC Work Release Program. The plant manager requires all employees to clock in 5 minutes before the shift begins. This means everyone is lined up, waiting to use one time-clock, to clock in. There is no social distancing; no 6 feet between employees waiting to clock in. The company has NOT provided nor has required employees to wear face masks nor have they provided any type of PPE gear to protect themselves or the product they are producing. This plant produces fried "fruits or vegetables" chips; primarily fried apple chips. There are issues as to the personal hygiene of the "temps", and their carelessness of abiding to the social distancing policy set by the Governor. The production of apple chips (or any other fruit or vegetable) is not an essential commodity during this pandemic crisis. This plant should remain closed until the Governor lifts the ban for the health and safety of its workers." -
The aforementioned complaint was filed in Yakima, Washington on Thursday April 16, 2020 with L&I DOSH Nathan Kresse against Seneca Foods, Inc. saying Non-essential business is open. Email address given was and phone number given was .