Listeria Outbreak at Boar’s Head Plant Shakes Small Virginia Town
The recent listeria outbreak at Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, VA, threatens local economy and jobs.
The recent listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats has cast a shadow over the small rural town of Jarratt, Virginia, where the company’s processing plant has long been an economic lifeline.
Community impact and economic concerns
The Boar’s Head facility, which employs about 200 workers, has been temporarily closed following a recall of 7 million pounds of meat products. The closure comes after federal inspectors found alarming conditions at the plant, including black mold, water dripping over meat, and puddles of blood.
“It’s a tragedy that started here,” Alexander Stith, 64, a local resident, told the New York Times. “There’s so many people around here who work there. And it’s going to deeply affect us.” (New York Times)
For Jarratt, a town of roughly 600 people located about 60 miles south of Richmond, the plant’s closure has created a sense of unease. Good-paying jobs are hard to come by in the area, and many residents fear the long-term economic implications.
“I mean, look around at Jarratt, there’s not much here already,” said Melanie Prescott, whose daughter works at the facility. “So if that plant closes, a lot of people are going to be out of work.”
The economic ripple effects are already being felt. CornerStone Crossroads, a local convenience store and restaurant, has seen a drastic decline in customers. Lee Beasley, a store employee, noted that daily lunch orders from plant workers have all but disappeared.
Health concerns and company response
The outbreak has been linked to at least nine deaths and approximately 50 hospitalizations across 18 states. Boar’s Head has expressed deep regret for the impact of the recall and is working with food safety experts to determine the cause of the problem.
“We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families,” Boar’s Head stated in a press release. “No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness.”
Beyond the financial concerns, residents expressed remorse over the outbreak’s human toll. “I’m surprised, I’m disappointed, I’m sad so many people died from it,” Russell Lewis, whose mother once worked for Boar’s Head, told the New York Times.
Federal inspection records revealed 69 instances of “noncompliance” with federal rules in the past year. “I think it is disgusting and shameful,” said Garshon Morgenstein, whose 88-year-old father, Gunter, died July 18 from a listeria infection traced to Boar’s Head liverwurst. “I’m just even more in shock that this was allowed to happen” (per the Associated Press).
Looking ahead
Boar’s Head has stated that production at the Jarratt facility will not resume until it meets USDA regulatory standards and the company’s own safety standards. The company is conducting an extensive investigation and implementing enhanced procedures and additional employee training.
As the town grapples with uncertainty, former plant workers like Erin Shaw reflect on the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the New York Times, he said, “It was a mediocre job, but it’s probably one of the highest-paying jobs in this area,” Shaw reportedly earned about $17 an hour during his time at the plant.
The outbreak has not only impacted Jarratt but also neighboring communities. Some plant workers commute from as far as Gaston, North Carolina, about a 30-minute drive south.
As federal investigators continue their probe and Boar’s Head works to address the issues, the people of Jarratt find themselves at a crossroads, hoping for a resolution that ensures both public safety and the preservation of vital local jobs.
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