On the issue of the processing plant environment, the challenges of operating and the impacts to production, as Joël said, have been very challenging. For us, we have had some particular plant issues. In the case of our poultry business, we had challenges, particularly at our poultry plant in Brampton, Ontario, that resulted in the closure of the plant for a few days. We have been extremely vigilant and have so far kept it out of our big plants in western Canada, which is so critical. Our brand and slaughter plant has had none of the experience that has occurred south of the border, or, frankly, at the beef plants in Alberta.
I guess the biggest concern is absenteeism. I think we can manage with all the new physical issues and the layout changes, but we are experiencing higher absenteeism. That could become a concern, but so far I think it's stabilized. We're achieving a new normal. We're relatively optimistic.
On the issue of food security, absolutely, this has been a devastating impact. I don't think there's yet really credible third party data, but there have been some suggestions that already in the last three months food insecurity in Canada has doubled. The number of individuals who need help to feed the family has doubled, and it was a crisis before.
In our case, our Centre for Action on Food Security has been operating for three years. Just in the crisis, we've added a $500,000 donation. We've now begun a campaign to raise a further $2-million contribution for food insecurity in Canada. That's on top of a $2.5-million donation to front-line health care workers. Yes, it needs work.