If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you may have noticed a shortage of Jimmy Dean breakfast products, particularly their popular sausage.
This shortage is not unique to Jimmy Dean, as many other food items have been affected by supply chain disruptions and labor shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the reasons behind the shortage of Jimmy Dean sausage are worth exploring.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the factors contributing to the shortage and what the company is doing to address it.
So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in.
Why Is There A Jimmy Dean Sausage Shortage?
The primary reason for the Jimmy Dean sausage shortage is the ongoing labor shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has led to increased absenteeism and turnover rates among employees, making it difficult for companies like Tyson Foods, which owns the Jimmy Dean brand, to keep up with demand.
In a recent earnings conference call, Tyson CEO Donnie King stated that labor is their single biggest issue, not only in chicken but also in their other businesses. He mentioned that on any given day, at least 10 percent of Tyson’s factory positions aren’t filled, which is an absenteeism rate that he described as “really unusual” and up about 50 percent compared to pre-COVID.
To address this issue, Tyson has increased wages and created flexible shifts, on-site childcare clinics, and medical clinics to make healthcare more accessible to team members and their families. Additionally, Tyson is accelerating investments in automation and advanced technologies to make workers’ jobs easier by eliminating more difficult, hard-to-fill tasks.
Despite these efforts, the labor shortage has still impacted the production of Jimmy Dean sausage and other products. The shortage has also led to pricing increases for the products that are available.
The Impact Of The Pandemic On The Food Industry
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the food industry, and the frozen food business was not an exception. While frozen meals were a win-win for many during the pandemic because they are long-lasting and take little to no effort to prepare, companies like Amy’s Kitchen, which produces a variety of “healthy” frozen meals, were feeling the heat.
During the height of the pandemic, Amy’s Kitchen streamlined its products from 228 offerings to just 71, leading to complaints from fans who lost their favorite items. The pandemic has also caused supply chain disruptions, making it difficult for companies to keep up with demand for their products. This has led to shortages of products like Jimmy Dean sausage.
The labor shortage caused by the pandemic has compounded these issues. Employee absenteeism and turnover rates have increased, making it difficult for companies like Tyson Foods to keep up with demand for meat products from foodservice and elevated levels of consumer grocery shopping.
To mitigate these issues, companies like Tyson Foods have increased wages, created flexible shifts, and offered incentives for employees to get vaccinated. They have also invested in automation and advanced technologies to make workers’ jobs easier by eliminating more difficult, hard-to-fill tasks.
Despite these efforts, the labor shortage has led to inefficiencies and pricing increases for many products. The impact of the pandemic on the food industry will likely continue to be felt for some time as companies work to adapt to changing market conditions and labor shortages.
The Role Of Labor Shortages In The Supply Chain Disruption
The labor shortage caused by the pandemic has played a significant role in the supply chain disruption affecting various industries, including the food industry. As Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King mentioned in the earnings conference call, the labor shortage has made it difficult for the company to keep up with market demand, which has led to inefficiencies and delays in production.
The shortage of workers has also led to increased absenteeism rates, which is a major challenge for companies that rely on manual labor. This absenteeism rate has caused a ripple effect throughout the supply chain, leading to delays in production, transportation, and distribution of goods.
Furthermore, the labor shortage has impacted the ability of companies to attract new talent and retain existing employees. To address this issue, companies like Tyson Foods have had to increase wages and offer additional benefits such as flexible shifts and on-site childcare clinics.
The shortage of workers has also created a need for companies to invest in automation and advanced technologies to make workers’ jobs easier and eliminate hard-to-fill tasks. While these investments can help improve efficiency and productivity in the long run, they require significant capital investments upfront.
What Jimmy Dean Is Doing To Address The Shortage
To address the shortage specifically for Jimmy Dean sausage, Tyson Foods has implemented several measures. Firstly, they have raised wages in many markets to make Tyson the “most sought-after place to work in the communities we operate,” as CEO Donnie King reiterated several times in the earnings call. This is aimed at attracting and retaining more workers to help meet demand.
Tyson is also working on reskilling its labor profile to enable employees’ contributions to more value-added activities. This means that workers will be trained to take on tasks that are more complex and require higher skills, leaving the easier tasks to be automated.
Additionally, Tyson is investing in automation and advanced technologies to make workers’ jobs easier by eliminating more difficult, hard-to-fill tasks. This will not only help with the current labor shortage but also ensure that the company is better prepared for any future disruptions.
Lastly, Tyson is offering a $200 incentive for employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is part of their efforts to ensure the health and safety of their team members and their families, which is their highest priority. The vaccination requirement will also help reduce absenteeism due to illness and keep production levels steady.
How Consumers Can Cope With The Sausage Shortage
If you’re a fan of Jimmy Dean sausage, you may be wondering how to cope with the current shortage. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this situation:
1. Consider trying other brands: While Jimmy Dean sausage may be your favorite brand, there are plenty of other options out there. Check out your local grocery store and see what other brands are available. Who knows, you may even discover a new favorite!
2. Look for alternative products: If you can’t find Jimmy Dean sausage, consider using a different type of sausage in your recipes. You could try Italian sausage, breakfast sausage from another brand, or even ground pork seasoned with your own spices.
3. Buy in bulk: If you do manage to find Jimmy Dean sausage, consider buying in bulk to stock up while it’s available. This could save you money in the long run and ensure that you have enough sausage to last until the shortage is resolved.
4. Be patient: As Washington University Professor Panos Kouvelis mentioned in the article above, many of these shortages will be short-lived. While it may be frustrating to not be able to find your favorite sausage brand right now, it’s important to remember that this is a temporary situation.
