In a bid to capitalize on the popularity of premium rose, Rhone Valley wine producer Gabriel Meffre partnered with glass manufacturer Owens-Illinois on a rose series offered in six brightly colored bottlings for summer. The Inspiration by Gabriel Meffre line was "inspired by Provencal patterns creates an incomparable bottle with an ultra-chic appearance," according to the winery.
The response of grocers, foodservice companies and consumer packaged goods producers to the coronavirus pandemic drew in large numbers of SmartBrief's food and beverage readers this past week. Some of the most popular stories included the designation of grocery employees as essential workers in three states, as well as the measures many grocers are taking to stop the spread of the virus in their stores.
Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor will forego his salary and bonus until Jan. 7, 2021, to free up money to help the chain's hourly employees during the pandemic, the company reported in a regulatory filing. The Louisville, Ky.-based chain operates about 500 US locations.
About 3 million US restaurant employees have been laid off this month as restaurants closed their doors during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a National Restaurant Association survey. Forty-four percent of respondents reported closing restaurants temporarily, 3% said they had closed permanently and 11% reported expectations that they'll close for good within a month.
A number of restaurants in Minnesota's Twin Cities are cooking and serving meals for people in need, from laid-off restaurant employees to children for whom no school often means no lunch. "We're serving anywhere from 500 people to 1,000 people a day, so it's pretty crazy right now," said Brian Ingram, owner of Hope Breakfast Bar, which is serving only free meals and offering delivery to those who need it.
The grocery industry and consumers should get some relief soon thanks to passage of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief plan by the Senate, which includes provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and payroll tax delays, according to a summary of the bill by FMI. This article looks at FMI's summary, which examines the chief elements of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
A number of technology companies are offering free services to grocers who are hustling to keep up with high demand. From online delivery options to supply chain databases, the tech companies are hoping their products can make life easier for retailers and shoppers as they cope with the disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is considering making a change to state guidelines that require parents who are picking up school meals be accompanied by their children. Miller said, "Let the parents pick up the meals. Let them pick up more than one meal and take them home."
Registered dietitian nutritionist Janice Dada said if parents make a voluntary choice to switch to a specific diet, such as Keto or vegetarian, and talk about food rules, it may have a negative effect on their child's relationship with food. RD Vanessa Chrisman said children can remain healthy on a vegan or vegetarian diet if parents are educated about the nutrients they need, but both Chrisman and Dada added that diets such as keto or paleo generally are not appropriate for children.
Mondelez is experiencing few disruptions to its global supply chain despite a spike in demand for comfort foods during the coronavirus pandemic, said CEO Dirk Van de Put. He explains new challenges arise daily, but all of the company's plants and distribution centers are operating.