Glenn County almond facility striving with business despite ongoing pandemic

One Northern California almond processing plant that relocated a year ago is now facing a new challenge, harvesting during COVID-19.

- one northern california almond processing plant that relocated a year ago is now facing a new challenge... harvesting during covid-19.

Action news now reporter jafet serrato is live in chico... jafet are they experiencing any shortages?

There's no shortage in almonds.

But north state hulling which used to operate here in chico - did recently report two of its employees tested positive for the virus.

The plant's in glenn county now - you may remember i first told you about their relocation nearly a year ago.

In order to finish construction on the plant - crews are grappling with the risk of contracting coronavirus that's because sometimes they work so closely together.

So the company is requiring everyone to wear a mask and designating one person to sanitize all frequently touched surfaces... in hopes of preventing an outbreak.

"it would impact the harvest of our 130 farming families that rely on us to hold and shelter the crop.

Really for those growers there really isn't a plan b we have to have this facility up and running."

Ryan tells me this year - if all goes as planned - his company should process 40 million pounds of almonds.

North state hulling has 15 to 20 employees and contracts with dozens of construction companies.

If any of north state hulling's employees want to test for the coronavirus they let them take time off until they receive their results back.

Live in chico jafet serrato action news now coverage you can count on!

Ryan tells action news now almond crop is doing good this year.

His company has hired more seasonal workers this year.

They should be processing almonds on august 24th at their new location along highway 32 in glenn county.###