Three major Canadian meat production plants have temporarily closed their facilities following reports that employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Although issues regarding the health and safety of the facilities’ employees are still concerning, the CFIA has stated that it doesn’t anticipate any food recalls related to the virus.
The second #TakeoutDay took place this week, and while the movement has caused some contention, restaurants across the country have since reported massive spikes in sales from the initiative that range from 15 to 60 per cent.
Finally, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Raptors has been converted into a giant kitchen in an effort to produce up to 10,000 meals per day for the city’s frontline workers and vulnerable individuals. The new Scotiabank Arena operation is currently working to ramp up production with the help of numerous donations from the likes of Second Harvest, Sobey’s, Sysco, and other similar organizations.
Here are five stories you might have missed in food news this week.
#TakeoutDay boosts restaurant sales across Canada
Canadian restaurants across the country reportedly saw a huge spike in sales during the inaugural #TakeoutDay that took place on April 15. Although no official cumulative number has been released, reports suggest that the increased sales from that day range from 15 to 60 per cent.
Find out more from Food in Canada.
Sysco Canada launches online grocery service
This week, Canada’s largest supplier of restaurants and other food services launched its new platform, Sysco@HOME. The program will allow Canadians to order food, household, and cleaning products in bulk. The products are then delivered to a nearby Sysco location, and orders are brought out and loaded into customers’ vehicles when they arrive. The Sysco@HOME service is currently available in all major Canadian cities.
Get the full breakdown from Newswire.
Meat facilities close temporarily following multiple cases of COVID-19
Three major Canadian meat production plants have temporarily closed their facilities after hundreds of total workers tested positive for COVID-19. Seven workers at Ontario’s Conestoga Meats, 28 workers at Vancouver’s United Poultry Co. Ltd., and 360 workers at the Cargill plant near High River have all been confirmed as testing positive for the virus.
The CFIA website has stated that it doesn’t anticipate any COVID-19-related food recalls, as there have yet to be any reported cases of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of the virus.
Calgary coffee shop faces severe backlash
In most cases, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world how resilient and caring Canada’s food and drink community can be in the face of distress. Unfortunately, one Calgary coffee shop owner appears to have gone the other way.
After a local doctor expressed concern with the Purple Perk’s decision to continue serving a packed patio, she was met with a Hitler meme from the cafe’s owner comparing her to people in Nazi Germany who turned in their neighbours. The Purple Perk has since closed its patio following a plethora of complaints, but many have suggested the coffee shop’s tarnished reputation could be irreparable.
Head to CBC News for the whole story.
Scotiabank Arena becomes a giant kitchen
The home of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the reigning champion Raptors has been converted into a giant kitchen in an effort by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to prepare 10,000 meals per day for the city’s frontline healthcare workers and at-risk individuals. The operation currently involves almost 20 chefs, but the organization hopes to increase that number to 90 in the near future.
Head to CTV News for more.
