UPU Industries, Inc. was awarded a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Worksite implementation grant to buy a water bottle filling station, create a space that is free from tobacco, and offer Farmers Market vouchers to encourage employee wellness.
UPU’s Wellness Team participated in WorkWell KS’s worksite training. This grant was to improve the workplace’s health and well-being. WWKS, which is a partner of the Pathways initiative, provides leadership, training, resources, and support for businesses and organizations to improve worksite health. To be eligible to apply to funding worksites, they had to have their Wellness Committee participate in the WWKS foundation workshop. They were also required to implement wellness policies and procedures and complete a worksite improvement plan.
UPU Industries produces high-performance bale netting for premium crop protection. Established in Northern Ireland 40 years ago, the family-owned business supplies its wrap products to over 30 countries. A sister manufacturing facility in Junction City serves both the U.S.A and Canada markets.
UPU Farmers is a brand that specializes in big bale solutions. This includes net wrapping, palletnetting, baler twine, and baler twine to bale hay, straw stalks, silage baling. Their net wrap is flat across the entire roll of netting thanks to innovative production techniques. Field testing has shown that this net wrap is more tightly wound than the standard netting. This allows for tighter storage and transport of round bales.
Philip Orr, Managing director, stated, “We are grateful that Live Well Geary County, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas offers to support worksite wellness.” UPU will be able to increase the number of healthy vending machines, install water bottle filling stations and create an outdoor tobacco-free eating space.
Live Well Geary County’s successful distribution of Phase I Pathways funding led directly to the awarding of Phase 2 Pathways funding. Phase 2 funding will focus on six Pathways, Community and Social Context and Neighborhood and Physical Environment, Food, Healthcare, Education, Economic Stability, and Food. LWGC Phase 2 will focus on communal meals, safe roads and complete streets as well as food system planning, the Farmers Market and healthy prescriptions. Education, vaping/JUUL prevention, food pantry/hunger relief, worksite wellness, and other areas.
