Stakeholders urge Walz to prioritize Agri-Food industry for vaccine

News 3 at six.

I'm george mallet.

First tonight: key members of the food and agriculture industries are asking governor walz to prioritize them during the early phases of covid?

"*19 vaccine distribution.

Kimt news three's anthony monzon is live with more on their request to the governor.

Anthony?

George... a group of stakeholders who represent tens?

"*of?

"* thousands of wor across the food supply chain have sent a letter to governor walz... urging him to prioritize their industry as covid?

"*19 vaccines are rolled out.

Now as you can see... m?

"*d?

"*h has designated the and agriculture industries as part of phase 1?

"*b of their vaccine distribution plan.

The agricultural stakeholders who sent this letter say they support that designation... but want to make sure they stay top of mind as other industries ask governor walz to prioritize them higher.

Patrick murray of agri?

"* growh says its imperative minnesota secures its food supply chain... which has been "having a single infection can neccessitate the quarantine not only of the employee, but of anyone they've been in contact with.

So that can leave a workforce shortage.

And then you saw some of those processing plants having to depopulate their livestock.

And the stakeholders who signed this letter say they understand health care workers... first responders... and vulnerable citizens absolutely come first during the proccess of rolling out vaccines.

Live in olmsted county... anthony thank you anthony.

The letter sent to governor walz also notes many involved in the food?

"* supply chain are still struggling to secure adequate access to medical facilities given the rural