Leveraging facilities across its footprint, the company delivers vital protein to disaster victims and emergency responders coast-to-coast and abroad
OAKWOOD, Ga., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Demonstrating the flexibility and responsiveness of its multi-facility production network, Wayne-Sanderson Farms continues to mobilize processing complexes across its footprint to deliver rapid food relief in partnership with the non-profit disaster response organization Mercy Chefs.
When natural disasters strike, Wayne-Sanderson Farms coordinates supply chain operations across its processing plants and complexes to supply essential food to Mercy Chefs’ mobile kitchens. These mobile kitchens provide hot, chef-prepared meals to victims, volunteers, and first responders as they navigate the immediate crisis and recovery.
“When communities face the aftermath of a disaster, fast, reliable food distribution is essential to fueling recovery,” said Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “By leveraging our nationwide network of facilities, Wayne-Sanderson Farms can rapidly route fresh, high-quality chicken directly to Mercy Chefs’ field kitchens wherever disaster strikes. We are honored to support their mission and stand behind communities across the country and around the globe in their time of need.”
Through recent relief efforts, Wayne-Sanderson Farms has delivered thousands of pounds of chicken to support Mercy Chefs’ disaster response operations across the country, and beyond, including:
- Texas Hill Country Flood Relief: The Bryan Complex recently donated 2,000 pounds of chicken (1,500 lbs. of boneless, skinless thighs and 500 lbs. of tenders) to support flood recovery efforts across the Texas Hill Country, building on a 5,200-pound donation to the region last year during prior severe flooding.
- Appleton, Wisconsin Tornado Relief: The Pendergrass Complex supplied 2,000 pounds of chicken earlier this month to support Mercy Chefs’ feeding operations for community members and cleanup crews affected by a severe tornado.
- Weston, West Virginia Flood Relief: The Pendergrass Complex sent two shipments totaling 2,000 pounds to support residents and assistance teams navigating severe regional flooding in July 2026.
- Pueblo, Colorado Firefighter Support: In July 2026, the Palestine Complex delivered 2,000 pounds of chicken to Mercy Chefs teams preparing meals for firefighters battling blazes near Denver.
- International Relief in Jamaica (Hurricane Melissa): Following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, Wayne-Sanderson Farms partnered with Mercy Chefs and international logistics partner Poseidon Forwarding Company to coordinate the donation and shipment of 60,000 pounds of chicken, along with essential infrastructure, including a refrigerated trailer and a power generator. This rapid response enabled the distribution of more than 60,000 hot, chef-prepared meals, anchoring a broader relief initiative that served more than 300,000 meals to Jamaican schools, emergency shelters, nursing homes, and remote communities.
- Southeast & Appalachian Relief (Hurricane Helene): When Hurricane Helene struck in late September 2024 with 140 mph winds and catastrophic flooding across Florida’s Big Bend and the Southeast, millions were left without power, shelter, food, and water. Mercy Chefs deployed to Asheville and Black Mountain, North Carolina, and to Newberry, Florida. Wayne-Sanderson Farms supplied vital chicken products to these field kitchens, enabling teams to nourish affected communities during their rebuilding efforts.
“At Mercy Chefs, we believe there is incredible power in showing up for people with a hot meal during some of the hardest days of their lives,” said Chef Gary LeBlanc, founder and CEO of Mercy Chefs. “Wayne-Sanderson Farms has continued to show up alongside us, helping ensure our chefs have the food they need to serve families, first responders, and volunteers when disaster strikes. We’re incredibly grateful for their generosity, their responsiveness and their partnership to help us feed body and soul.”
Through coordinated supply chain logistics and ongoing protein donations, Wayne-Sanderson Farms remains committed to supporting Mercy Chefs’ mission to bring hope and meals to communities facing disaster.
About Wayne-Sanderson Farms
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture and an industry-leading workforce of more than 27,000 people and over 2,000 farm partners, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 24 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne-Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of SANDERSON FARMS® COVINGTON FARMS®, NAKED TRUTH®, BUFFALOOS®, FLY’N SAUCERS®, CRISPY FLIERS®, PLATINUM HARVEST®, CHEF’S CRAFT®, WAYNE FARMS®, and WAYNE-SANDERSON FARMS®. Wayne-Sanderson Farms is proud to be the “Official Chicken of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).” For more information, visit WayneSandersonFarms.com or follow Wayne-Sanderson Farms on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
About Mercy Chefs
Mercy Chefs is a 501c3 founded in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The organization exists to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters and national emergencies, and partners with existing ministries with food service in underserved communities across the country and around the globe. Since its founding, Mercy Chefs has served more than 39 million meals. In 2025, Good Morning America held a live broadcast from Mercy Chefs’ headquarters as part of its “50 States in 50 Weeks” coverage. Mercy Chefs has also been featured in news outlets such as CNN, Fox News, NBC News, PBS and Southern Living. For more information, visit MercyChefs.com.
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SOURCE Wayne-Sanderson Farms
