Bridgford Foods (BRID) Risk Analysis

Climate change and rising global temperatures may contribute to changing weather patterns, droughts, heavier or more frequent storms and wildfires, and increased frequency and severity of natural disasters. If such climate change has a negative impact on agricultural productivity, we may have decreased availability or less favorable pricing for the raw materials necessary for our operations.  Increased frequency or duration of extreme weather conditions could cause disruptions in our operations and supply chain, or impact demand for our products. Increasing concern over climate change also may result in additional legal or regulatory requirements designed to manage greenhouse gas emissions, climate risks, and resulting environmental impacts. If such requirements are enacted, we could experience significant cost increases in our operations and supply chain. Further, such requirements may obligate us to make certain climate-related disclosures and set goals for reducing our carbon footprint.  While we are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and managing greenhouse gas emissions, there can be no assurance that we will accomplish such goals.  If we fail to achieve any such goals related to climate change or the related expectations from stakeholders and consumers are not met, the resulting negative publicity could adversely impact our results of operations in part as a consequence of changes in consumer preferences for our products.

The food industry, and the markets within the food industry in which we compete, are subject to various risks, including the following: evolving consumer preferences, nutritional and health-related concerns, federal, state, and local food inspection and processing controls, consumer product liability claims, risks of product tampering, and the availability and expense of liability insurance. The meat and poultry industries are subject to scrutiny due to the association of meat and poultry products with recent outbreaks of illness, and on rare occasions even death, caused by food borne pathogens. Outbreaks of disease and other events, which may be beyond our control, could significantly affect demand for and consumer perception of our food products and result in negative publicity that may have an adverse effect on our ability to market our products successfully. Product recalls are also sometimes required in the food industry to withdraw contaminated or mislabeled products from the market. Additionally, the failure to identify and react appropriately to changes in consumer trends, demands and preferences could lead to, among other things, reduced demand, and price reduction for our products. Changes in consumer eating habits may also result in the enactment or amendment of laws and regulations that impact the sourcing, ingredients, and nutritional content of our food products. Finally, we may be adversely affected by changes in domestic or foreign economic conditions, including inflation or deflation, interest rates, availability of capital markets, consumer spending rates, and energy availability and costs (including fuel surcharges). We have been experiencing high levels of inflations these past few years, which has had varying impacts on our business. Such prolonged periods of inflation decrease consumers' discretionary spending, which negatively impacts our results of operations. These and other general risks related to the food industry, if realized by us, could have a significant adverse effect on demand for our products, as well as the costs and availability of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials, thereby negatively affecting our operating results and financial position.