In a time of uncertainty, this is how you can support local food businesses
Children are staying home from school. Your local grocery store is out of Purell and toilet paper. College seniors were sent home two months early, without a graduation. March Madness has been cancelled. The mom-and-pop shop on the corner has decided to close its doors until the chaos dies down. You have been told to work from home for the foreseeable future.
COVID-19 has changed everything. In the wake of this global pandemic, each and every person has to adapt to a new way of life. And while you may think that the only thing you can do is wait out the storm, that is not the case. There are ways you can help your community in this time of uncertainty.
In a time when the public is being instructed to practice the antithesis of what the hospitality industry is all about — social distancing — local food businesses are struggling. At tasteMAKERS, we are committed to helping those businesses stay afloat.
Shop Online
Many makers rely on farmers markets and orders from local shops and restaurants to drive sales, but with markets and the restaurant industry in limbo right now, those sources of critical income are impacted. Stock up your pantry with small-batch products — you’ll have fun in the kitchen and help small, local businesses.
For a list of the makers we’ve covered who sell online, click here.
Buy Now, Enjoy Later
Independent shops, food makers, restaurants and bars are doing everything they can to ride out this wave of uncertainty and keep their doors open. One thing you can do to help is buy a gift card to use in the future. Every little bit counts for small business owners, and each gift card purchased now will help buoy the bottom line.
Order Ahead, or Better Yet, for Delivery
Curbside pickup or, even better, ordering delivery allows you to enjoy food from your favorite local restaurants while practicing social distancing. Many local businesses are offering this option so you can stay home in your PJs! It’s the best of both worlds.
Tip A Little More Than Usual
Some states have ordered restaurants and bars to close, but if you live in an area where restaurants are still open and you choose to go out to dine, tip your server a little more than usual. For most service workers, their only source of income comes from their hourly wage and tips. Maybe you usually tip 20%, but today, try tipping 25%.
Donate to Local Food Organizations
tasteMAKERS encourages you to donate to local food banks or food advocacy organizations. Now more than ever, service organizations need the help of the community to continue to serve the less fortunate.
Stay In-The-Know about Hunger in America
According to No Kid Hungry, 11 million children live in homes that are “food insecure,” meaning those families do not have the means to provide each family member with healthy meals. Additionally, nearly 22 million kids rely on school lunches for their food, and in times like this when schools are closed, many kids are not getting the food they need. While monetary donations are helpful, there are also other ways you can contribute in a meaningful way. Here are a few resources to get you started on how you can help:
During this uncertain time, it’s important to build our sense of community and help those in need. There are so many things you can do to help ... get creative! If you have any recommendations on how we can help, or any stories about your community coming together for local businesses, feel free to email nicole@watchtastemakers.com.