C&S Wholesale Grocers expands benefits, pay to employees during pandemic

C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc., the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S., will provide frontline workers with a special appreciation bonus and all employees with additional paid time off (PTO), along with other benefits, to assist in the face of challenges caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“For the last several weeks, every C&S employee has gone above and beyond to help feed our communities amid this unprecedented situation,” said Mike Duffy, chief executive officer of Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers. “Our frontline employees are working countless hours to ensure shelves are stocked and families have food, and I couldn’t be prouder of their grit and efforts. As with all of the difficulties that we have faced at C&S, we have risen to the occasion together.”

The wholesaler has updated its PTO policies to allow employees to take advantage of both paid and unpaid time off due to coronavirus-related issues, even when they have exhausted their personal or sick time. C&S also announced a quarantine pay policy that allows employees to receive their full pay for the duration of a workplace quarantine, for up to two weeks. The company is encouraging sick employees to stay home and covering 100% of the cost of Telemedicine, a service that offers them the ability to speak to a board-certified doctor by phone or video, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. C&S also has instructed all employees who can work from home to do so.

Related:UPDATE: C&S Wholesale Grocers partners with US Foods and Performance Food Group as coronavirus disrupts jobs

“It has been humbling to see the relentless dedication of every C&S employee. We are fully focused on ensuring our employees have the resources to care for themselves and their families during this time.” said Miriam Ort, chief human resources officer. “Our frontline employees have made the sacrifice to go out to work every day, at a time that others are being told to stay home. Our special appreciation awards are a way to recognize them for their selfless dedication to keeping our communities fed.”

Last week, C&S announced it is teaming up with foodservice distributors US Foods and Performance Food Group to address supply and job imbalances in the grocery and foodservice industries brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Rosemont, Ill.-based US Foods works with about 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators through its more than 70 locations. The C&S partnership with Richmond, Va.-based Performance Food Group will enable C&S to leverage PFG’s workforce to help handle the extensive increases in food and product needs in local communities around the country. That partnership began last week with 35 PFG employees across two states. Over the coming days and weeks, more PFG employees will be joining C&S,

Related:C&S Wholesale Grocers hires Miriam Ort as human resources chief

C&S Wholesale Grocers services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 7,700 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with over 137,000 different products.

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