Orland, IN - During the COVID-19 disruption, Miller Poultry, located in Orland, Indiana has been designated as an essential industry. As the surge of the coronavirus has hit Indiana, Miller Poultry is also experiencing some illness among team members.

As of Thursday, April 30th, there were 6 team members and 1 Department of Agriculture person who tested positive for COVID-19. Though not at a threshold for which health officials typically bring in a special testing task force, Miller Poultry, with the help of Cameron Hospital, is proactively responding by testing all team members at the company’s expense. In addition, Miller Poultry has been working with both county and state health officials to keep these cases isolated.

Miller Poultry will continue to operate in accordance with the President’s executive order laid out on Tuesday, April 28th, which requires meat plants to continue operations and provide food to consumers. Recently, heavy consumer purchases have resulted in repeated shortages in our nation’s grocery store meat departments over the last 6 weeks, especially with heavy buying occurring again this week. Increased demand is at times double or more.

The Miller Poultry plant is committed to protect the health and safety of team members. Sanitation measures include constant cleaning and disinfecting of high touch areas, as well as regular disinfectant fogging. Many interventions have been put in place including PPE, temperature checks, and social distancing enhancements.

Miller Poultry will continue to focus on individual team members' health and personal welfare. An appreciation bonus of $100 per week has already been in place for all hourly team members for a month and has recently been extended to 6 weeks. This may be adjusted even further. In addition, any legitimate COVID-19 illness or quarantine a paid leave has been instituted. Other aid is available.

With over 1,000 total team members, Miller Poultry is one of Steuben County’s largest employers. Miller Poultry is a partner to not only farm families and countless agribusinesses, but also supplies grocery store customers from Boston to New York to Salt Lake City to New Orleans, and of course at home in Northern Indiana. They have been part of the Indiana community for nearly 80 years and the Orland community for 28 years.

Media questions should be directed to Kevin Diehl, VP of Plant Operations at Miller Poultry. Mr. Diehl can be contact at 260-829-6550, ext. 555.