One of the first sights that greets people traveling through Schertz on Interstate 35 is a massive 635,000 square foot blue building that houses one of Schertz’ largest companies: Sysco. This facility may only be a piece of Sysco’s global footprint, but its impact on the local region, particularly during COVID-19, is significant. As Sysco celebrates their 50th anniversary as a company, it is helpful to dive into their role in the local economy and our food ecosystem.
Company Highlights
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food and non-food products to restaurants, healthcare & educational facilities, lodging establishments, and other customers around the world. With over 320 distribution facilities worldwide, they keep pantries of all sizes stocked. Sysco also has one of the largest fleets of vehicles, which forms a highly efficient delivery network.
On the local level, Sysco’s Schertz facility opened in 2013 and houses their Central Texas operations. Covering a region of over 180,000 square miles, this facility serves a large portion of South Texas, from high end restaurants in the City of Austin to local storefronts on the Rio Grande Valley on the Texas border. They stock over 15,000 items – ranging from locally raised meat from Gonzalez, Texas to specialty products from European markets – that can be delivered next day to customers.
Local Perspective
Sysco is clearly a major company, but they maintain a focus on their local community. Sysco is a frequent partner with the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation; just this year, they hosted several local Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District students for Job Shadow Day. By allowing these students to tour the facility and get a sense of the job opportunities available in their community, Sysco plays an important part in building our local workforce education pipeline.
Additionally, Sysco is one of the city’s largest job creators within the larger Schertz business community. Beyond the 600+ individuals employed in their Schertz facility, Sysco also employs the truckers that our region connected to the rest of the country. During a pandemic, the value of truckers moving essentials across country has become increasingly apparent. Many of the Sysco trucks that filter in and out of Schertz on a nightly basis kept local San Antonio shelves stocked throughout the COVID-19 lockdown.
COVID Pivot
Largely operating behind the scenes, many people would be surprised to learn of other ways Sysco Central Texas helped local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, Sysco’s food supply operations are considered part of the United States critical infrastructure – assets deemed essential for the functioning of our society and economy. Throughout the lockdown period, Sysco’s employees helped keep food on shelves and essential supplies moving. Second, Sysco implemented a variety of changes including the start of a direct to consumer sales model and partnering with small, region food providers. Sysco made it easy for individuals to order directly from the company, just as business could do prior to the pandemic. In some cases, Sysco hosted pop up food sales as well to make accessing their services even more accessible.
Congratulations
Sysco is an asset to not only Schertz but the larger San Antonio region. Thanks to their impressive delivery ecosystem, ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges, and concern for their community, Sysco is a great example of an adaptable business. Schertz appreciates the work Sysco does to ensure the viability of our local food network and congratulates the company on their 50 years milestone.