WiM Rhode Island | Blount Fine Foods Plant Tour

Please Note:

We ask that you review Blount’s GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices) prior to your visit to Blount. The plant production floor is loud, wet, slippery and at varied temperatures (hot and cold).

What to wear to the plant:

CLOTHING: Full-length pants must be worn. No skirts, capris, or shorts. No ripped or frayed clothing.

SHOES: Closed Toed, non-slip footwear is required. If you are not sure if your shoes are non-slip, wear a rubber-soled shoe or sneaker. For your safety, heals are prohibited. Doorway formers are provided to sanitize footwear. They must be used when entering exposed product areas. Keep this in mind when selecting footwear. Appropriate shoes may be available at the plant for your use.

JEWELRY: Jewelry is not allowed in food processing and storage areas. The only exception is plain wedding bands that do not have stones. Prohibited are watches, neck chains, earrings, rings, hair pins, barrettes, and tongue rings. Jewelry can be worn in the office and then removed just before going onto the plant floor. Gloves can be worn over rings that cannot be removed. Eye ware containing jewelry or decorative stones is prohibited.

FINGERNAIL POLISH: Fingernail polish and false fingernails are not allowed in food processing and storage areas. Gloves (provided) can be provided to wear over fingernail polish.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH: Any visitors with communicable illnesses may not be allowed to tour the processing facility.

BAGS: We only allow transparent backpacks or bags on the processing floor (i.e. no briefcases)

GMPS for the TOUR:

BADGES: Guests must check in at front desk, read and sign visitor policy, show ID and wear visitor badge. Guests must be with their Blount employee host at all times.

GENERAL: Items must not be kept in shirt pockets or left insecure above waist level (i.e. pens on coats or ears)

PROCESSING COATS: All persons must wear processing coats (Provided) around exposed food.

HAIRNETS: Hairnets (Provided) must be worn in all food processing and storage areas. Beard restraints must be worn if facial hair is noticeable from a distance. If you have long hair a hair ban is highly recommended.

HATS: Hats are not allowed in food processing and storage areas. HAND WASHING: All persons must wash and sanitize their hands before entering food processing and storage areas. Hands must also be washed after each absence from the designated workstation and any other time when hands become soiled.

FOOD: Personal foods, beverage, candy, and gum are NOT allowed on the production floor. There is no eating of product allowed in production areas with the exception of required sensory evaluations.

GLASS: Glass is not permitted in food processing and storage areas.

EARPLUGS: Earplugs are available upon request. Due to the short nature of the tour they are not required.

PHONES and CAMERAS: No pictures may be taken without permission, and limited phone usage is appreciated.

The plant is equipped with various alarm systems for your protection. Please always be aware of the nearest exit.

Agenda:

Part 1: Build Your Brand: An Introspective Workshop
Heidi has graciously agreed to repeat a TERRIFIC session she led at Summit in Chicago for RI & MA chapter members.

This interactive session will guide participants through a series of hands-on exercises to identify their core values and explore their primary personality traits (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance).

Participants will develop their own personal brand statement using their core values and DiSC personality traits. Their brand statement can be used to craft a sample bio, for communicating expectations, defining leadership styles, or to promote themselves on social media.

Part 2: Fall River Plant Tour
From soups and chowders, to mac & cheese and meals, the Blount mission is to provide time-constrained families with high quality, homestyle foods made from carefully selected sourced ingredients that satisfy the whole family.

Get an insider's view of how the magic happens during a guided plant tour!

To honor Blount's guidelines, attendees will be split into two groups, one touring before the workshop and one touring afterwards. We will advise you of your group assignment and timing after you register.

Part 3: Networking and Yumminess
Connect with local chapter members, learn more about WiM, and meet industry professionals during the intervals between the workshop and the tours. Our gracious hosts will be serving up samples of Blount's (truly) Fine Foods as well.

Thank you to our annual sponsors