Heroes of the Highway

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2020 3 SPECIAL SECTION HEROES HIGHWAY OF THE Thank you to all those in the transportation sector who keep our supplies and our economy moving. #ThankATrucker 204.945.3709 pccaucus@leg.gov.mb.ca SYSCO DRIVERS STEP UP TO COVID-19 CHALLENGE On a typical day, drivers for Sysco Canada's Prairie region efficiently distribute food and non-food products to area businesses and institutions such as restaurants, hotels, educational facilities and hospitals. As the "face of Sysco" they play an important role — meeting customer expectations and safely delivering thousands of kilograms of product each day in all kinds of weather. P rior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, business in the region was busy, and drivers' routines mostly predictable, with routes spanning Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northern Ontario, an area covering almost 1.9 million square kilometres. "Before the pandemic, drivers had a fairly set schedule," explains Kevin Pen- ner, Business Resources Consultant for Sysco Canada's Prairie region. "As a cus- tomer-facing associate, their scheduled routes help to establish relationships with the customers they serve." Once measures designed to flatten the curve of coronavirus infections went into effect in early March, many restaurants and other establishments either closed or altered their ordering patterns. "Literally overnight, the business changed," said Penner. Sysco's leadership team in Winnipeg, led by regional president Kim Doherty, is committed to always putting safety first. She meets daily to ensure that all of the drivers and the warehouse associates — their frontline heroes — are safe while they are meeting the needs of customers and communities. Sysco has implemented numerous COVID-19-related protocols to keep associates and customers safe, such as health screenings and temperature checks before every shift and making personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves available to all their as- sociates. In some cases, delivery methods are altered to ensure social distancing. Following these new safety protocols not only helps drivers stay safe, they also help Sysco's customers feel safe. As many restaurants, entertainment venues and schools have closed or changed order patterns, changed routes are another reflection of the new busi- ness reality. As a result, drivers are work- ing to establish relationships with new or different customers. Many in the community who receive the essential goods Sysco drivers deliver recognize their importance and appreci- ate their efforts. "Customers have thanked our driv- ers with things like a coffee, a wrap or a sandwich," Penner says. "It might seem like a small thing to them, but it's a big thing to our drivers. Any little bit of thanks, even if it's just a wave and a smile, is really appreciated by our drivers." Several customers have expressed their appreciation for the professional manner in which Sysco's drivers have responded during the pandemic. One of those customers is Chelsy Lynn of the Chocolate Bean Café in Melville, Sask. "Sysco's truck drivers have been amazing through COVID-19," she says. "They're always gloved, respect my space restrictions and are organized and ready to get to the next shop. I feel confident with the drivers keeping my space safe." Doherty says she's thrilled by how her entire team — all 500-plus associates — have performed through the pandemic. "We couldn't be prouder of our team," she says. "We really want to thank our drivers for being out there and making sure our great customers and commun- ities continue to get the food and sup- plies they need to survive through these most unprecedented times." Penner enthusiastically agrees with that sentiment. "Our drivers have been heroes during the pandemic, and they continue to go above and beyond to ensure our custom- ers are taken care of," he says. BY TODD LEWYS S U B M I T T E D P H OTO S Sysco Canada drivers work recently in Winnipeg (left), Regina (top, right) and Thunder Bay. A masked Sysco Canada driver (middle) hits the road.

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