As the always loveable Fred Rogers was once told by his mother during a scary time in the news, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Our team has adopted this mantra and looked upon the social presence of those in the foodservice industry, viewing how operators and their own staff are responding to the current situation.
What we have found has been nothing short of heartwarming, and all too inspiring not to share. Here are some of the helpers we’ve seen caremongering for our communities.
Tim Horton’s Energizing Those Who Serve
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After closing their dining rooms and moving service to takeout, drive-thru, mobile ordering and delivery apps, Tim Horton’s formed a team of its staff for a different mission – bringing sustenance to those on the front lines who are spending countless hours serving (and saving) our community through this pandemic.
Starting with St. Michael’s hospital, they’ll be driving their food trucks to various medical sites, providing free coffee to doctors, nurses and other hospital employees in thanks.
Mother Cocktail Bar’s Pantry Box Project
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Having closed their tables to the general public, the staff at Mother Cocktail Bar weren’t about to let their time and space go to waste. In partnership with local chefs, farmers and Ration Food Lab, the establishment will be packing and offering healthy pantry boxes of fresh produce and Mother-style creations for pick-up or delivery. For product availability and online ordering, click here.
Kinsip Spirits Restocks Sanitizers for Local Services
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Given the viral high demand for hygienic items and disinfectants, Kinsip Spirits has taken it upon themselves to pivot some of their production from craft spirits to hand sanitizer. Bottles are free for anyone working in essential and medical services including doctors, nurses, police and community grocers.
Ontarians Working to Feed It Forward
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In addition to continuing operations of their pay-what-you-can organic grocery store and complimentary community outreach programs, Feed It Forward has launched an Emergency Food Rescue Response Team. Working across Ontario, the EFRR Team will be ramping up efforts in donation collection, meal prep and distribution in order to supply the increasing demand in assistance for those more vulnerable as the pandemic – and its closures and layoffs – persists.
For those interested in donating or volunteering, email Feed It Forward here.
Staffy does the perfect pivot
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Toronto-based workforce startup Staffy, which serves 5 major cities with a database of over 30,000 workers, is helping with the increased demand in various sectors by assisting skilled workers in pivoting from their usual hospitality shifts to work hours in healthcare, senior living, grocery, delivery and general labour.
Labatt brews for Food Banks Canada
In support of not only Food Banks Canada but also our country’s front line workers, Labatt Breweries is producing 50,000 bottles of hand sanitizer.
Galen Weston commits to his grocers
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As grocers and pharmacists continue to work all hours of the day to keep Canadians supplied of their essentials, Loblaws’ Galen Weston went public to pledge a pandemic-period increase in the company’s workers’ compensation by approximately 15%.
“Don’t forget, please be kind when you’re shopping, and give people the space they need.”
The Edible Story starts a different chapter
While their events and catering are currently on-hold, the team at The Edible Story is doing their part by distributing their fresh fruits and veggies from Royal Produce to those in need of replenishing.
Saving restaurateurs that forgot-to-do feeling
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International foodservice operator Meg Miller has provided fellow restaurateurs and bar owners a helpful list of logistical to-do’s for closing doors during non-serving periods.
Cooks Camp ideates openess with the community
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Meanwhile, Cooks Camp has shared messages from the foodservice community on how establishments can keep their businesses open during this difficult time.