Transcript

00:00:21:01 - 00:00:35:04

Speaker 1

Right now, I'm told about 80% of Ole Tyme Produce employees are considered fully vaccinated. But with this new requirement, she wants every single employee to show one of these, proof of vaccination by the end of September.

00:00:35:28 - 00:00:41:08

Speaker 2

It's a natural extension of of what we do. Our job is to provide safe, quality food.

00:00:41:08 - 00:00:50:27

Speaker 1

At Ole Tyme Produce, colleagues call each other family. One of the reasons the company is now taking the next step to protect one another and customers, too.

00:00:50:29 - 00:00:53:09

Speaker 2

Well, I think for most of us, it wasn't really startling.

00:00:53:10 - 00:01:03:12

Speaker 1

Today, the company is enacting a mandatory vaccine requirement for all 65 employees. Staff members must be fully vaccinated no later than September 30th.

00:01:03:17 - 00:01:08:21

Speaker 3

We have to do everything that we can to ensure safety. That's a that's a solemn promise.

00:01:08:21 - 00:01:31:26

Speaker 1

CEO Joan Daleo says the requirement better ensures her company can continue to operate while keeping both employees and customers safe, even as cases surge. Ole Tyme Produce distributes to schools, restaurants and hospitals throughout the greater Saint Louis area. Often going inside those facilities, Daleo says many of their clients require visitors are vaccinated, too.

00:01:31:28 - 00:01:48:03

Speaker 3

We have to be a part of that and lead the way to do our part to ensure that we're not transporting virus into their locations because we do serve the entire population. And that includes people with impaired immunity, etc..

00:01:48:06 - 00:02:01:24

Speaker 1

The company's decision comes as President Biden urges over 25,000 federal employees, including law enforcement, judges and health officials in the Saint Louis area, to get the vaccine. Those who don't will face stricter protocols.

00:02:01:26 - 00:02:07:20

Speaker 4

I was very excited because then it's like I have that extra layer of protection for myself.

00:02:08:04 - 00:02:20:26

Speaker 1

Donna Rodgers, an accountant with the Department of Agriculture, was ahead of the curve and got her shots in the spring. Rodgers is glad she did her part, but she understands why all employees may not be on board.

00:02:21:02 - 00:02:30:04

Speaker 4

You're going to have some people that are hesitant and you're going to have some people that's going to push back on it. And it's their right.

00:02:30:29 - 00:02:43:06

Speaker 1

So Ole Tyme Produce says there are some exceptions to this policy for medical and religious reasons, but those are looked at on a case by case basis. Reporting live in Saint Charles tonight, Emma Hogg, news4.