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As the COVID-19 outbreak in Oregon continues to impact the local restaurant market, stories are popping up across the city, from food cart owners giving away free meals to chefs starting Instagram cooking classes. In this new version of AM Intel, we dive into different ways the state’s food service industry has been responding to the global pandemic. For more COVID-19 stories, check out our larger story stream.
FEEDING THE HOMELESS — Countless restaurant owners and chefs have partnered with job training restaurant Stone Soup to feed the residents of the new temporary homeless shelters at places within the Oregon Convention Center, Charles Jordan Community Center, East Portland Community Center, and the Jupiter Hotel. Restaurants involved include Bhuna, Kachka, Toro Bravo, and Lardo, among others. [The Oregonian]
PAY DELAY — An email sent to McMenamins employees, thousands of whom were laid off earlier this month, has delayed giving back final paychecks until April 1 at the earliest, also asking employees who had paychecks not to cash them. “Like so many businesses, we at McMenamins are reaching our limit as the pandemic continues,” a statement from the company reads. “We will be paying all of our employees and will continue to pay the benefits of our temporarily laid off staff.” [Willamette Week]
HARD SANITIZER — Rogue Spirits, the Newport-area distillery, has jumped on the bandwagon of distilleries making hand sanitizer with byproduct. Instead of giving the sanitizer away to customers, however, Rogue Spirits has been donating the product to coast-area fire departments, local ambulance services, and other service organizations. The product made with 80 percent ethanol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide. and distilled water. [EaterWire]
PANTRY DELIVERY — Olympia Provisions, Portland’s popular charcuterie brand and restaurant, has started personally delivering sausage, pickles, wine, and pantry staples to Portland residents across the city. The delivery service doesn’t just offer Olympia Provisions brand products, however; other products include Jacobsen wildflower honey, Grand Central baguettes, and Briar Rose cheeses. The company delivers between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. [EaterWire]
