ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- The owner of Tyson Foods published an open letter to consumers in the New York Times, one that sent shudders through many, warning of meat and poultry shortages in America due to COVID-19 and describing a supply chain that is "broken."
However, unlike other parts of the country, the meat and poultry cases are still full at many grocery stores in the Bay Area and California as a whole.
Alameda's Encinal Market almost has too much product- even offering sale prices on some of it.
Many grocery markets like Encinal source their products in California, not from big companies in the Midwest and elsewhere that have had to close plants due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
RELATED: Why Americans may see a meat shortage during the coronavirus outbreak
"Haven't seen a shortage. Heard a lot about it, but we haven't been affected," said Jonathan Tse, Encinal's meat department manager. "We buy a lot of our stuff local, so a lot of California grown, Petaluma Poultry, Harris Ranch, so I don't believe they've been affected."
Angela's kitchen in Alameda has managed to stay open by offering evening take-out dinner specials, that include meat and poultry.
"Three course meal, so it comes with an entree, a side salad and a dessert for $10," explained Shirin Bina.
Bina said Angela's Kitchen did have to shop around a bit in the beginning for meat and poultry, but not lately.
RELATED: Coronavirus panic buying: Toilet paper, meat becoming hard to find at Bay Area stores
"The first few weeks were a little bit tough for getting the supply that we needed for meat," Bina explained, "but luckily next door we've been getting our meat from Marketplace and our menu also changes to reflect the availability that we have."
Industry officials say any spot shortages have more to do with distribution issues, not a lack of supply in California.
"All our plants are up and operating as productively has they've ever operated," explained Bill Mattos, President of the California Poultry Federation. "We're very concerned about the coronavirus. We have a lot of steps in place to protect employees so we can keep our plants open. And right now, your Bay Area is getting all the produce they need."
What could create a meat and poultry shortage in the Bay Area? Panic buying- like we saw with toilet paper.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of living in the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19
