Dear Fam,
We at Food+Tech Connect stand in solidarity with the Black community against systemic racism and police brutality.
We are committed to using our platform to create systemic change and to end racial injustices, especially in our food system. We know that educating ourselves about anti-racism and dismantling systemic racism will be hard, ongoing work. We also know that the only way forward is together. Over the coming weeks, we will begin collaborating with organizations across the food system to start hosting conversations and creating resources that amplify the voices of Black, Indigenous and POC communities.
If you want to collaborate, please email Danielle at danielle [at] foodtechconnect.com.
In the meantime, we encourage you to support Black-owned businesses, donate, educate yourself about anti-racism and read some of Civil Eat’s 10+ years of social justice reporting.
With Love & Gratitude,
Danielle, Mike & Phoebe
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Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put more than 10 million independent restaurant workers at risk of losing their jobs for good. Across sectors, businesses are being forced to pivot their business models as consumers go on lockdown and change their buying habits. This round-up features many of the ways the pandemic is impacting all parts of the food industry.
In an effort to do our part and support the community we love so dearly, we have compiled a list of resources and organizations that are providing support to those in need. We are also offering free job postings to anyone who is looking to employ people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Resources: We have compiled a database of resources for those in the food industry impacted by the pandemic here. Please add your own resources as well.
- Jobs: We need to band together to support everyone across the food system who has lost their job due to the pandemic. Use code “coronavirusfoodjobs” to post remote or remote-friendly food jobs on our job board for free.
We need your support as well. Producing our newsletter takes a lot of time and resources, and we need to change our business model to keep it going. To date, we’ve funded our work through our events, sponsorships and consulting, which are all on hold due to the pandemic. If you find our newsletter to be a valuable resource, we hope you will consider making a one time or monthly contribution, so we can keep the newsletter going and free for those who can not afford a subscription fee. Whether it’s $5 or $500 every bit helps and shows us that you value our work. Not able to contribute right now? You can help by sharing our newsletter with friends and colleagues.
Check out our weekly round-up of last week’s top food startup, tech and innovation news below or peruse the full newsletter here.
1. Want to See Food and Land Justice for Black Americans? Support These Groups. – Civil Eats
Food justice is racial justice. As the nation rises up to protest atrocities against Black people, here are some organizations working to advance Black food sovereignty.
2. 21 Individuals and Organizations Building Stronger Black Communities and Food Systems – Food Tank
It’s time for people of all backgrounds to not only denounce violence, but to actively use their voices, dollars and power to demand change.
3. BLM Community Resources – Museum of Food & Drink
In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, we have compiled a list of resources amplifying black chefs and food producers, black-owned businesses, and organizations helping the food insecure during protests and COVID-19.
4. What the Future of Restaurants Might Look Like: What You Need to Know – Bloomberg
The industry employed 15.6m people in America alone. Sales in 2020 were projected to be $899b, but no more. Estimates of how many restaurants will not be able to reopen range from 25% to 80%. The economic damage of a stunted hospitality industry ripples across the globe and across sectors.
5. Covid-19 Is Spreading Among Farmworkers, and It May Get Worse – The Fern
Health workers in Florida, the nation’s tomato-growing capital, have detected an alarming spike in Covid-19 cases: an average of 24 new positives a day.
6. 815 Workers at Iowa Plants – 591 in Storm Lake and 224 in Council Bluffs – Tested Positive for Coronavirus – Des Moines Register
The plant, which has about 2.3k workers, is scheduled to reopen Wednesday. About 75% of the employees testing positive had no symptoms.
7. Blow Up the Restaurant Industry and Start Over – The New Republic
A system that relies on exploitation isn’t one that should survive the pandemic. There’s a better way to feed people and care for workers.
8. Two-Thirds of Public Restaurants Are Seen at Risk of Bankruptcy – Bloomberg
The concern is higher for small companies and restaurants that specialize in dine-in. Large chains are likely to get bigger amid dining industry M&A.
9. Every Single Worker Has Covid at One US Farm on Eve of Harvest – Bloomberg
One farm in Tennessee distributed Covid-19 tests to all of its workers after an employee came down with the virus. It turned out that every single one of its roughly 200 employees had been infected.
10. As Groceries Board Up Amid Protests, Food Inequality Worsens for Communities of Color – Salon
The inaccessibility of limited hours means many people in the community can’t make it to the grocery store and don’t have another option close by, highlighting the deep inequality in levels of food access across the city.
11. The Pandemic Isn’t Easing Up, but Frontline Food Workers Are Already Losing Bonus Pay – Civil Eats
As parts of the US economy reopen and food demand remains high, some companies are ending ‘hero’ and ‘hazard’ bonuses.
12. Abrupt NYC Curfew Sparks Confusion for Restaurant And Food Delivery Workers – Eater
The lack of clarity and guidance from city officials has left workers and restaurant owners scrambling for answers.
13. ‘15 Percent Pledge’ Calls On Major Retailers To Support Black-Owned Businesses – Forbes
The 15 Percent Pledge asks businesses and individuals to commit 15 percent of their buying to black-owned businesses, potentially generating billions for the black community.
14. How Fostering Empathy for the People Who Feed Us Could Change Our Food System – Civil Eats
Experts weigh in on how we can best support food and agriculture workers during the pandemic—and beyond.
15. Contractors Selected for USDA Food Box Program Raise More Red Flags – The Counter
The agency came under scrutiny after it canceled a $40m contract with California Avocados Direct and awarded an event planning company a $39m contract that had made dubious claims about their clients and credentials.
16. House Passes PPP Bill That Gives Restaurants More Flexibility – Restaurant Dive
The bill would reduce the percentage of PPP funds restaurants are required to spend on payroll from 75% to 60%; extend the time period businesses have to use the funds from two months to six months; and more.
17. Tyson Reinstates Policy That Penalizes Absentee Workers – Bloomberg
Tyson will return to its pre-Covid-19 absentee policy, which includes punishing workers for missing work due to illness.
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The post Black Lives Matter, Support Black Food & Farm Businesses + More appeared first on Food+Tech Connect.