Sanderson Farms : WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!

For Michael Wade, making the decision to become vaccinated against COVID-19 was about protecting himself and his loved ones against the often fatal virus running rampant across the world since early last year. Little did he know, but that crucial decision would also result in him winning the company's highly anticipated drawing for a 2021 Ford Expedition.

"I chose to get vaccinated not only for me, but also for the ones I love," said Wade. "I did not want to risk spreading the virus to anyone."

After working for Sanderson Farms for nearly 18 years, Wade feels honored to be selected as the winner of the drawing, especially a drawing encouraging employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. "I am overwhelmed with joy and excitement," said Wade. "It is a great feeling and honor to work for a company that encourages and appreciates its employees for engaging in best practices during this global pandemic."

To show appreciation for employees taking precautions to protect themselves, their families and their co-workers from COVID-19, Sanderson Farms entered fully vaccinated hourly employees in a drawing for a new 2021 Ford Expedition in September. To be eligible to participate in the drawing, fully vaccinated hourly employees had to sign official giveaway rules with their field employee relations manager before August 27 and must have been hired on or before July 1 and be an active employee as of September 3.

To ensure employee tenure was also rewarded in this vaccine incentive program, eligible employees with up to four years of continuous service were entered in the drawing once, eligible employees with five to nine years of continuous service were entered in the drawing twice, eligible employees with 10-14 years of continuous service were entered in the drawing three times, eligible employees with 15-19 years of continuous service were entered in the drawing four times and eligible employees with 20 or more years of continuous service were entered in the drawing five times.

For Wade, being selected as the winner of the company drawing for the Ford Expedition means the ability to travel without having to worry about securing a reliable vehicle. "I can now travel with family and friends with no worries about renting a vehicle," said Wade.

Working on the cookline at the company's foods division in Flowood, Mississippi for the entirety of his career, Wade enjoys working with his co-workers and wants them to stay healthy. "If I'm having a bad day, they cheer me up and vice versa," said Wade. "We are more like family than co-workers."

To demonstrate the company's commitment to employee health, Sanderson Farms also offered $1,000 of pre-tax, incentive pay to every current employee, whether hourly or salaried, who can show proof they have been fully vaccinated. New hires and probationary employees will be paid this incentive at the end of their 90-day probationary period.

As of the end of the fiscal year, over 54 percent of our employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and 14 days after receiving two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. While the company hopes the number of employees becoming vaccinated continues to increase, numbers of positive COVID-19 cases are already trending downward with only a handful of positive cases reported each week amongst all Sanderson Farms divisions.