To date, we have fully vaccinated over 51% of our domestic workforce, which is well ahead of the country's vaccination rate.
In total, sales for the quarter increased 8% compared to last year, and the sales increased over 5% for the first half of the year.
For the quarter, foodservice sales increased 28%.
This reflects an increase of 1% over 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Products like Hormel Fire Braised meats, Sadler's authentic smoke barbecue, Fontanini authentic Italian meat, Hormel Bacon 1 fully cooked bacon, Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O Turkey are uniquely positioned to meet this need.
Sales finished up 16% compared to the second quarter of 2019.
Sales in the deli channel increased 4% this quarter and are up 9% over pre-pandemic levels.
E-commerce sales grew double-digits in the last 12 weeks, according to IRI, and we are gaining share in important categories.
A higher tax rate negatively impacted earnings by $0.01 per share compared to last year.
Refrigerated Foods volume increased 3% and sales increased 17%, with growth coming from almost every division.
Value added sales increased 18%, driven by a significant recovery in the foodservice businesses.
Almost all categories within the foodservice grew sales, led by our pizza toppings portfolio and brands such as Fontanini and Bacon 1.
In fact, pepperoni, pizza toppings, Bacon 1 and Fontanini authentic Italian meats all showed growth compared to the second quarter of 2019.
Refrigerated Foods segment profit increased 32% due to higher foodservice sales, higher retail fresh pork profitability and decreased operational expenses due to abating COVID-19 cost pressures.
International delivered its fifth consecutive quarter of record earnings growth, with sales increasing 17% and segment profit increasing 6%.
Even though volume declined 14%, sales declined 8% and segment profit declined 23%, we are encouraged by the segment's performance as we have seen sustained consumer demand for many of our brands compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Sales for center store brands such as SPAM, Hormel Chili, Compleats and Mary Kitchen hash were all over 20% higher compared to our second quarter of 2019.
Our MegaMex joint venture performed well, as equity and earnings increased 26%.
This brand has grown households by 3 million since the start of the pandemic and has introduced industry leading innovation to the marketplace in recent years.
Jennie-O volume decreased 3% and sales increased 2%, a recovery in the foodservice business and higher whole bird sales drove the sales increase.
Jennie-O Turkey Store segment profit declined 54% due to the impact from higher feed costs.
Looking to the balance of the year, we are increasing our full year sales guidance range to $10.2 billion to $10.8 billion, and reaffirming our earnings per share guidance range of $1.70 to $1.82 per share.
Additionally, we are increasingly confident that K-12 schools and colleges and universities will open and operate in a more traditional manner this fall.
Record sales for the second quarter were $2.6 billion, an increase of 8%.
First half sales increased 5% to $5.1 billion, also a record.
Pre-tax earnings increased 2% for the quarter compared to last year.
Diluted earnings per share for the quarter was $0.42 per share, flat to last year.
Second quarter results reflected approximately $0.01 per share in incremental COVID-related costs and $0.01 in higher tax expense.
SG&A, excluding advertising, was 6.5% of sales, down slightly to last year.
Advertising spend for the quarter was $31 million.
Operating margins for the quarter were 11.1% compared to 12.1% last year.
COVID-related expenses were $6 million.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 22.1% compared to 20.6% last year.
Excluding the impact from the Planters acquisition, we estimate the full year tax rate to be between 20% and 21.5%.
We paid our 371st consecutive quarterly dividend, effective May 17th, at an annual rate of $0.98, a 5% increase over the prior year.
Capital expenditures were $45 million in the quarter.
The Company's target for capital expenditures in 2021 is $260 million.
USDA composite cutout prices since January have increased more than $30, with all primals contributing to the increase.
Key inputs such as bellies and trim increased 57% and 76%, respectively, during the quarter.

Summary:
Refrigerated Foods volume increased 3% and sales increased 17%, with growth coming from almost every division.
International delivered its fifth consecutive quarter of record earnings growth, with sales increasing 17% and segment profit increasing 6%.
This brand has grown households by 3 million since the start of the pandemic and has introduced industry leading innovation to the marketplace in recent years.
Jennie-O volume decreased 3% and sales increased 2%, a recovery in the foodservice business and higher whole bird sales drove the sales increase.
Looking to the balance of the year, we are increasing our full year sales guidance range to $10.2 billion to $10.8 billion, and reaffirming our earnings per share guidance range of $1.70 to $1.82 per share.
Record sales for the second quarter were $2.6 billion, an increase of 8%.
Diluted earnings per share for the quarter was $0.42 per share, flat to last year.