Breaking Bread: Vancouver restaurant industry creates a smart initiative to combat COVID-19 concerns
There is a lot of anxiety right now as people try to stay clear of the COVID-19 virus. Many have chosen to isolate themselves and the result has been catastrophic on Vancouver’s restaurant and service industry.
Yesterday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said, "We're not talking about shutting down society here. It's still very safe today in B.C. — all across B.C. — to go out, to go shopping, to go to restaurants."
Members of Vancouver’s hospitality community are uniting in solidarity to urge the public’s support of the local independent restaurant and service industry as well as those whose livelihoods rely on them, by offering myriad ways to show support during this unprecedented time of COVID-19.
They have formed a group to keep the public safe and informed and offering options for them to continue supporting from a distance. Comprising 23 local restaurants and counting, this newly formed collective wants to reassure the public that they remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their guests and staff. They will continue to implement all guidelines set out by such regulatory bodies as Vancouver Coastal Health, the World Health Organization and Centres for Disease Control.
If people are not able to dine in person at their local restaurants, a few ways in which they can show their support are as follows:
Order delivery from local restaurants
Pick-up your order via take-out
Purchase gift cards
Subscribe to digital newsletters
Engage on social media
Share photos on social media
Write a positive online review
Be kind!
For those who remain healthy and are comfortable with dining out, the group of restaurants is showing appreciation to guests for their support by extending a limited-time-only Breaking Bread Menu available from March 14 to 31 at special price points of $20, $30 and $40. Some of the restaurants have also pledged to dedicate funds from the proceeds of these menus towards internal financial initiatives to support their staff.
The list of restaurants in Vancouver participating is as follows, with additional establishments invited to join the initiative on an ongoing basis:
Ask For Luigi
Beetbox
Belgard Kitchen
Bells and Whistles
Bufala Kerrisdale
Bufala Edgemont
Café Medina
Di Beppe
Farina a Legna
Havana
Heritage Asian Eatery (Broadway)
Heritage Asian Eatery (Pender)
Juke Fried Chicken
L’Abattoir
Lucky Taco
Nuba Kitsilano
Nuba Gastown
Nuba Mt. Pleasant
Nuba Yaletown
Origo Club
Pourhouse
Tuc
Wildebeest
“We are continuing to take all necessary precautions and urge people to show their support for small business as much as they’re able to right now,” says James Iranzad, Co-Owner of Gooseneck Hospitality, which owns and operates Wildebeest, Bells and Whistles, Bufala (Kerrisdale and Edgemont) and Lucky Taco.
“We want people to understand that by supporting their favourite restaurants, they also support the people who depend on them — from chefs, cooks and servers to suppliers, farmers and delivery people. We’re all in it together.”
As this is a developing initiative, all details, including participating restaurants and menus, will be updated on an ongoing basis at www.breakingbreadvan.com and #breakingbreadvan. Restaurants interested in joining this initiative are invited to email breakingbreadvan@gmail.com.
As the news is changing rapidly, the group of restaurants has committed to monitor and reassess the situation as it unfolds, and make any adjustments if necessary.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor.
