CEO of Initiative Foods meets with employees after destructive fire

SANGER, California (KFSN) -- Initiative Foods is moving forward after a massive fire tore through its plant in Sanger.

Firefighters have been keeping an eye on the structure as they continue to investigate a cause. At 9 a.m. on Monday the entire staff of about 100 met as the president and CEO gave his emotional comments on the fire

He says it destroyed pretty much all of the equipment, product and the plant itself, but the good news was that everyone was safe and here today.

There were plenty of tears as the company opened and closed the meeting with prayer. John Ypma spoke to the crowd about their heart breaks and talked to employees about how to prepare for the many changes that will come as they find a way to rebuild the plant.

"We've been through a lot together. I've been able to be an effective leader with them and get them places that I don't think they could have imagined -- even I couldn't imagine. So, we'll get through this... We just have to take it a day at a time," said John Ypma, President and CEO of Initiative Foods.

Ypma himself even got choked up while speaking to the crowd, calling it the hardest thing he's ever done. He also promised to do whatever he can do to help the displaced employees who will now be out of job.

The executive staff and management team are now in a meeting to discuss ways to move forward and some of the logistical aspects with customers. The entire staff will then meet again on Tuesday morning to hear more details.

Meanwhile, firefighters may be on scene another day before it's completely turned over to the company.

Employees of the company set up a GoFundMe account: here.