We asked four industry leaders:

What can food industry members do to reassure customers and consumers during a health scare?

Mel Coleman, Jr., vice president, Coleman Natural Foods:

Consumers need to feel confident that our products are safe to eat, and readily available. We work closely alongside government agencies and industry associations to help communicate confidence in both safety and availability. Social media provides a great outlet to not only provide information in real-time, but to answer questions and encourage two-way dialogue.

Nicholas Bertram, president, The Giant Company

The Giant Company’s purpose is to connect families for a better future, which is why we are acting with urgency and providing them with funds now so they can continue to support our most vulnerable  neighbors. Working together, we can truly make a difference.

Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO, FMI – The Food Industry Association

We want to ensure that all Americans know the government is working closely with all stakeholders across the food and consumer products supply chain to ensure that stores can stay open and stocked with the products consumers need through this emergency. This fortitude is strengthened by our strong public-private partnerships with government agencies to ensure our supply chain remains resilient, nimble and effective.

Rodney McMullen, CEO, The Kroger Co.

We believe that everyone deserves to have access to fresh, affordable food and essentials, especially in times of uncertainty. That’s why our teams are working so hard to keep our stores clean, open and stocked. We activated our preparedness plan several weeks ago, and we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation. We’re following guidance from federal, state and local agencies, including the CDC and other health organizations.