ABA president and CEO, Katherine Lugar, penned a LinkedIn post this weekend highlighting how industries from coast to coast are stepping up.  Today and every day, we are grateful for the dedicated men and women working around the clock to replenish and restock shelves and deliver food, beverages and other consumer products to communities across America.  Read Katherine Lugar’s LinkedIn post below.

Supporting Our Neighbors During These Challenging Times
By: Katherine Lugar, president and chief executive of the American Beverage Association
March 22, 2020

“Crises often bring out the best in mankind. These are words expressed this week on a call with the leadership of the non-alcoholic beverage industry. As our nation faces an unprecedented health and economic challenge, this is exactly what is happening in communities across the country. Whether it is doctors, nurses and first responders putting themselves on the front lines of an invisible enemy, or those in the various industries working harder than ever to meet our immediate and critical needs – we are all stepping up.

This is true, too, for America’s leading beverage companies. I have never been more proud to represent these dedicated men and women who are working around the clock to bring beverages from bottling plant to store shelves and into the hands of consumers from coast to coast. Whether bottled water, sports drinks, teas or other beverages, all provide hydration, perhaps some electrolytes or other nutrients, or simply some refreshment in such an uncertain time, something we all can use for both our physical and mental health.

Doing this is far from easy. They, too, have families to care for, neighbors who are sick or vulnerable, and fears to overcome. But they are doing it because it is essential. In times of natural disaster, and in times like we’ve never experienced before, this is what this industry does. The men and women of our industry are resilient, strong and deeply committed to the communities across this country. Together, we will continue to serve our customers, consumers and communities. Only by supporting each other can we ensure that our nation will come out of this even better, stronger and more unified. As President Truman said, “America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

On behalf of all of us at the American Beverage Association, a heartfelt thank you to all who are serving our neighbors and communities across our great country — and especially to those who are keeping food and beverages on the shelves.”

For more information and resources on COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration websites.