Cornell University has received a $1 million grant from the USDA to study COVID-19 transmission among workers in food processing facilities.

The study will partner with food processing companies to determine what can be done to mitigate transmission of infectious disease. It “will use computer modeling and outreach to find optimal strategies to minimize COVID-19 cases and transmission among workers in food processing facilities, while maintaining the best possible production,” according to a Cornell handout.

Researchers will work with Tyson Foods, Great Lakes Cheese, Seneca Foods, Del Monte and other big names across product segments. The idea is to tailor solutions, as much as possible, to specific industries and situations.

“Part of the project is to investigate how segments of the food production industry differ and how to develop control strategies that will fit a specific industry segment,” said Renata Ivanek, an associate professor at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine.