Coronavirus

Industries all across the country are experiencing the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Discover how it could affect the U.S. foodservice, grocery and convenience industries.

Operations

States ease liquor laws to help restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 17, 2020

Illinois and New York have OK'd sales for off-premise, and New York and Ohio have permitted returns of unused St. Patrick’s stockpiles.

Financing

A ‘meteor’ obliterates restaurant stocks as in-store dining stops

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 17, 2020

Valuations for many chains suggest potentially serious problems, and that could bode ill for the entire industry, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Operations

White House says relief for restaurants is in the works

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 17, 2020

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says measures will allow closed restaurants to continue paying their employees. Loans and direct payments to consumers would be part of a $1 trillion relief package.

As restaurants turn to takeout amid dine-in bans, so too do college eateries

By Kelsey Squire on Mar. 17, 2020

A number of state and local governments are restricting dining out in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

USDA begins feeding program partnership to provide meals for students impacted by COVID-19

By Benita Gingerella on Mar. 17, 2020

The meals will be delivered to students in rural areas who don’t have access to a Summer Food Service Program meal site.

USDA extends comment period on proposed school meal reforms due to COVID-19

By Benita Gingerella on Mar. 17, 2020

The comment period has been extended by 30 days and will now end on April 22.

SNA survey reveals how school districts are working to provide meals amid COVID-19 school closures

By Benita Gingerella on Mar. 17, 2020

The survey showed that 1,211 respondents were either engaged in emergency meal and food assistance or were developing plans to feed students during coronavirus-related school closures.

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation steps up feeding programs during the coronavirus pandemic

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 17, 2020

“Mobilizing food is one of the biggest challenges,” says the foundation’s executive director.

Mich. creates interactive map showing location of school feeding sites

By FSD Staff on Mar. 17, 2020

All schools in the state are closed for several weeks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

NACDS Annual Meeting Latest Event to Cancel Due to Coronavirus

By WGB Staff on Mar. 17, 2020

Organization turns its attention to Total Store Expo in August.

Demand for Instacart Surges as Consumers Settle at Home

By Jennifer Strailey on Mar. 17, 2020

As consumers increasingly shelter in place to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, Instacart is challenged to meet the record demand for grocery delivery services.

Help Wanted: Food Retailers Reach Out to Displaced Service Sector Counterparts

By Jon Springer on Mar. 17, 2020

Supermarkets are looking for warehouse, stocking, cleaning and delivery help as they deal with big volume and traffic gains amid the coronavirus crisis.