One of Arizona’s most well known companies will pay nearly a million dollars to settle allegations of discrimination.

The U.S Department of Labor found Phoenix-based Shamrock Foods Company failed to hire qualified female, African American and white applicants for a variety of positions between 2017 and 2018.

The agency’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs alleged Shamrock, which has federal contracts, discriminated in employment.

According to a news release, the company agreed to pay $858,492 in lost wages, benefits and interest to applicants at its facilities in Phoenix and Eastvale, California. While details of the settlement are not yet publicly available the release said Shamrock “volunteered to enter into an early resolution agreement and enhance its compliance in the hiring process throughout the company” which includes revising its selection process and providing enhanced training to its hiring manager. 

Ann Ocana, chief marketing officer for Shamrock Foods Company, gave a statement.

As a federal contractor, we devote significant time and attention to the OFCCP’s detailed and technical requirements.  Shamrock has a very diverse workforce, including traditionally underrepresented groups in hundreds of jobs located across the United States.  Although we whole-heartedly disagree with the OFCCP’s claims of underrepresentation in a few job groups, Shamrock has a good relationship with the OFCCP and worked closely with the agency to come to this agreement.  We look forward to continued collaboration with the OFCCP to promote greater diversity in employment initiatives.

The company started as a family dairy and now distributes and supplies food across various industries, including restaurants, health care and education.