Billy Cyr is the CEO of Freshpet. The company’s corporate office is located at 176 N. Commerce Way in Bethlehem.

Freshpet produces all natural, preservative- and additive-free foods for dogs and cats, as well as dog treats.

“Freshpet is an essential business,” Cyr said.

“We are still operating at full capacity. With more people staying home, we have seen a surge in demand.”

Freshpet has not needed to lay off any of its 411 employees, and, in fact, the company is hiring.

“The company is doing everything possible to ensure our employees are in a safe environment,” Cyr said.

Freshpet has a second kitchen under construction in LVIP 4. Once that kitchen is operating, Freshpet will have 500 employees.

Freshpet is also using an innovative approach to supporting its employees by keeping them fed, which also benefits several area restaurants at the same time.

The initiative is called the Freshpet Meals & More program.

Every two weeks, the company purchases 411 $50 gift cards from area family-owned restaurants, and distributes the cards to its employees. Currently the cards are purchased from Adobo Latin Kitchen in Palmer Township; 7th Street Rotisserie Chicken in Allentown; Ecco Domani in Coopersburg; Dolce Mamma Italian Bar and Grille in Hanover Township, Northampton County; and Cactus Blue, Bethlehem.

“We wanted to thank and recognize our employees,” Cyr said.

The program started because Freshpet also wanted to find a way to help others during the shutdown. The company chose family-owned restaurants in the neighborhoods of its employees, using employee address lists, and asking employees to name their favorite restaurants.

“The current crisis has disrupted many of our team members families, not to mention the communities where we live and work,” Cyr said. “We hope this effort will make whatever challenges we’re all facing a bit easier.”

Cyr says Freshpet is committed to continue the program as long as restaurant dining rooms are closed.

Freshpet’s products are available in many retail stores, and are also available for shipping.

Visit freshpet.com for more information.