The U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn. (USPOULTRY) has released a white paper, titled “Providing Protein, Enriching Lives,” that highlights the multiple ways the poultry industry benefits employees, communities and consumers. The white paper features expertise and data used from members, economic studies and government reports.

“Protein is essential in our diets, and the poultry industry is doing more than just providing a meat product,” USPOULTRY noted.

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.

“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,” USPOULTRY president John Starkey said.

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

According to USPOULTRY, 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 to show the growth and advancement opportunities available.

The poultry industry’s efforts to create a safe workplace are additionally highlighted within the white paper. The occurrence of occupational injury and illness in poultry processing plants has decreased by more than 80% in the last 20 years. While the rate is now in line with “all manufacturing,” USPOULTRY said the industry continues to look for ways to improve.

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.