Flowers Foods, Inc., producer of Nature's Own, Wonder, Tastykake, Dave's Killer Bread, and other bakery foods, announced that it has paid approximately $5.6 million in appreciation bonuses to 11,757 eligible hourly and nonexempt employees, leased labor, and contract workers. The bonus is a recognition of the extraordinary efforts of these workers during the COVID-19 pandemic as the company's 46 bakeries operate non-stop to produce bakery foods. The appreciation bonuses, $500 for full-time workers and $250 for part-time, are in addition to the company's annual bonus program, participated in by all Flowers employees. The company also has implemented emergency COVID-19 leave and short-term disability policies for its 9,700 employees.

"I could not be prouder of our team and this special bonus recognizes all those who are literally on the front line – in baking, engineering, and shipping, those who handle sanitation and distribution, and those who provide other vital support," said Ryals McMullian, president and CEO. "We take our responsibility to help feed America to heart and Flowers team members are showing that every day with passion and courage. On behalf of our company and the board, I thank them for their hard work and commitment, especially during this time of uncertainty."

Actions to Support Employee and Independent Distributor Wellness and Safety

Flowers Foods has taken several proactive steps at all of its facilities to help safeguard the wellness of its team members and the independent distributor partners that serve the market. These include:

Enhancing daily sanitation and cleaning of commonly used areas and frequently touched surfaces in bakeries, warehouses, business offices and resale stores;

Restricted admittance of non-essential, non-business-critical visitors to bakeries, warehouses, and offices;

Daily wellness screening of team members at all bakeries and required self-screening and reporting at other locations;

Suspension of all non-essential business travel and meeting attendance; and

Implementation of remote work for business office team members

"I want to thank our independent distributor partners who have taken steps to enhance the wellness and safety practices of their businesses," McMullian continued. "This is an unprecedented time during which we've experienced a significant surge in food demand. We appreciate our distributor partners helping us keep the market supplied with fresh bakery products."

McMullian added, "Our supply chain is strong and we have a number of contingency plans in place should they be necessary. We are confident we will continue providing our customers and consumers with the bakery foods they need as we all manage through the pandemic."