Wayne-Sanderson Farms Scales Disaster Relief Through Protein Logistics

The partnership leverages the poultry producer’s supply chain to route fresh chicken directly to field kitchens in crisis zones. Kevin McDaniel, President and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms, noted that the company’s infrastructure allows for rapid deployment to communities facing immediate recovery challenges. This logistical support has become a consistent pillar for Mercy Chefs, which has served over 39 million meals since its inception in 2006.

Recent operations illustrate the scale of this collaboration. In Texas, the Bryan Complex provided 2,000 pounds of chicken for flood relief, matching a 5,200-pound donation from the previous year. Similar quantities were dispatched to Appleton, Wisconsin, following a tornado, and to Weston, West Virginia, during July 2026 flooding. Beyond domestic relief, the partnership addressed international needs in October 2025 by shipping 60,000 pounds of chicken to Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, facilitating the distribution of over 300,000 meals to shelters and schools.

Gary LeBlanc, founder and CEO of Mercy Chefs, emphasized that the reliability of this protein supply is critical to their mission of offering sustenance during humanitarian emergencies. By coordinating shipments from regional hubs like the Pendergrass and Palestine complexes, Wayne-Sanderson Farms ensures that feeding operations remain uninterrupted, whether supporting firefighters in Colorado or rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene in the Southeast.