May 6, 2021
During Covid-19 lockdowns, small businesses around the world had to pivot their operations to survive. Building an online presence, resorting to delivery apps, selling in bulk and ready-to-cook meal kits were some ways restaurants stayed afloat. For diners, ordering a meal kit from a favorite restaurant was a way to stay connected to it and support local businesses. The extra time at home allowed some people to learn to cook, or expand their culinary repertoire to different foods.
We talked to a number of these restaurants who say their new delivery, meal kits, and catering operations have changed the way they will do business even after customers return to indoor dining.
EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) With a lot of restaurant business drying up over the past year, farmers and other food producers have been looking for new ways to expand their business. A handful of businesses have cropped up as a result, serving as middlemen, giving these small food producers new avenues to sell directly to the public.
The pandemic has upended all sorts of traditional careers in the food business. Previous business models have gone out the window. But for a local documentary filmmaker, it presented an opportunity, to serve as a link connecting the public directly with the farms and artisan food producers who need to find new customers.