Protein is essential in our diets, and the poultry industry is doing more than just providing a meat product. The white paper features expertise and data used from members, economic studies and government reports.

The document details different ways the poultry industry positively affects the lives of consumers from a nutritional standpoint, including nutrition and affordability. The white paper also examines the job opportunities the industry provides, such as offering competitive wages with benefits in communities.

The poultry industry has continued to be a growth industry, typically located where other industries have contracted or disappeared altogether. Numerous testimonials from poultry industry employees are included in the document showing the growth and advancement opportunities that are available.

The poultry industry’s efforts to create a safe workplace is additionally highlighted within the white paper. Within poultry processing plants, the occurrence of occupational injury and illness has decreased by more than 80 per cent in the last 20 years.

While it is now in line with "all manufacturing," the industry continues to look for ways to improve. Providing a safe workplace is important, because poultry companies are members of the community.

In addition to providing jobs and a safe working environment, poultry companies make a positive economic impact on the local communities in which they operate, through revenue generated, donations to local service providers and organizations, and service projects.

John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY said: "USPOULTRY is providing this white paper, along with a corresponding toolkit that includes the white paper and suggested Facebook and Twitter social media posts, as a resource to its members to demonstrate how the poultry industry is an important aspect of the food supply system by providing a broad range of healthy protein options that are available and affordable to consumers on all levels.

"The poultry industry is also important to today’s economy as it offers well paying, stable jobs, competitive benefits and unlimited opportunities for advancement."

Questions about information related to the white paper can be directed to Matt Spencer, director of HR & safety programs, at [email protected].

You can view the white paper by clicking here.