Freshpet exempt from business closure order, will continue making pet food

France Nouvelles Nouvelles

Freshpet Inc. said it is exempt from an order issued by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to close all non-life-sustaining businesses and will continue to make pet food at its facility in Bethlehem. The closure order went into effect at 8 p.m. on Thursday. The company said Freshpet Kitchen will manufacture animal food 24 hours per day to meet increased demand from the coronavirus. Tractor Supply Co. , a retailer for those living the rural lifestyle, also remains in operation in order to sell livestock feed, pet food and other necessities. Freshpet stock rose 5.6% in Friday premarket trading, and is up 15% over the past year. The S&P 500 index has fallen 14.7% over the last 12 months.