Dining restrictions during the pandemic have taken a tremendous toll on the U.S. restaurant industry. The National Restaurant Association estimates that $240 billion and 2.5 million jobs were lost during 2020, and over 100,000 businesses closed permanently. These losses rippled up the supply chain, stranding farmers with unprecedented amounts of unsold and wasted food. 

An innovative new program is helping the greater Pittsburgh restaurant industry stay afloat through the pandemic and beyond by supporting workers and strengthening connections to the local food system.

Allegheny Eats was created by Sustainable Pittsburgh, along with support from Pasa and several other community partners, to address three key areas of need resulting from the COVID-19 crisis:

• crop spoilage and food waste, 
• food insecurity among restaurant industry workers, 
• and the overall health and survival of the restaurant industry. 

By engaging local food lovers, Allegheny Eats provides a one-stop-shop where consumers can support their favorite restaurants, help feed industry workers, and support local farms and producers.

Buy one, give one

When customers purchase a meal kit (dinner components for two people) from participating restaurants through Allegheny Eats, they are helping to purchase meals for local restaurant industry workers who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Meal kit purchases also help the participating restaurants stay open until they can safely resume regular service. Customers are also able to add a donation to their order to give restaurants an extra boost or buy a gift card, redeemable or any meal kit in the Allegheny Eats program within 90 days of purchase. 

Each meal kit on Allegheny Eats contains locally sourced produce and products. Having a reliable outlet through participating restaurants helps farmers and producers know how much to plant for the upcoming growing season and reduces the amount of spoilage during harvest time.

Local farms to the rescue 

Pasa’s role in the project centers around connecting participating restaurants with local farms, agricultural cooperatives, producers, and processors. 

The pandemic exposed the fragility and inequities of the national and international supply chains, and it was often smaller, local suppliers who came to the rescue. 

Sourcing locally not only strengthens the resilience of these smaller supply chains, it also reduces the carbon footprint of the food since it travels less. This shorter distance also means food is fresher, so it lasts longer, retains more of its nutrients, and tastes better. 

And developing relationships with local farmers gives restaurants the ability to make more informed decisions about the growing methods they support. Pasa’s involvement with the project helps ensure that the participating restaurants get connected with local farms using sustainable practices.

Pasa is proud to partner with Sustainable Pittsburgh on Allegheny Eats, a program which not only addresses the immediate crisis, but also provides a blueprint for a more sustainable food system future.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation funded the Allegheny Eats project as part of a COVID-19 Economic Impact and Recovery grant.

Learn more about Allegheny Eats >> 

The post We all eat together appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

Agriculture is essential for a safe and reliable food supply.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announced: “As the Commonwealth takes steps to mitigate against COVID-19 … businesses across the state have been asked to consider if they’re essential or not. Agriculture’s role is unquestionable: access to food is a right; we need local agriculture now more than ever.”

What counts as an “essential business” in agriculture?

Essential businesses for a safe and accessible food supply include farms, greenhouses and vegetable plants, orchards, pest management services, feed mills and ag supply businesses, pet food manufacturers and distributors, agriculture equipment sales and services, animal feed and supply distribution networks, transportation systems from farm to retail, food and meat processors and manufacturers, veterinary services and supplies, distribution and transportation system from processors and manufacturers to retailers, retailers including grocery stores and farmers markets, grocery delivery services, laboratories, and inspectors that ensure food safety.

If I am operating an essential business, am I required to stay open?

PDA encourages the above businesses, especially food production and distribution facilities, to continue operations. However, the decision for essential businesses to stay open or voluntarily close during the COVID-19 mitigation phase is a business-by-business decision.

If I am keeping my business open, what do I need to do to protect myself, my employees, and the public from COVID-19?

All essential businesses that choose to remain open should review and adjust standard operating procedures to minimize risk, take measures to protect their employees, send home sick employees, and minimize or eliminate congregate settings or groups of more than 10 people whenever possible.

Additionally, PDA has issued the following voluntary guidance and recommendations for businesses throughout the food supply chain to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while assuring the security of our food system:

• Essential Agricultural Businesses

• Farms and On-Farm Deliveries

• Farmers Markets and On-Farm Markets

• Food Processors and Manufacturers

• Dairy Guidance

Finally, PDA recommends that all farms update or write a “Continuity of Business” plan to keep operations running smoothly in case of any disruption. Continuity of Business plans are critical for all operations, however small farms may be at greater risk if a disruption occurs because the owner may be the sole caretaker.

Where can I find more information?

Find other resources related to COVID-19 for farmers and markets here.

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