US Foods is giving away free reopening kits to qualifying independent restaurant owners to help support restaurant reopening efforts in communities across the U.S. The reopening kits provide independent restaurant operators with must-have supplies such as masks and safety guidance posters as well as resource guides to navigate state and local COVID-19 reopening requirements and help create a safer environment for staff and customers alike.

Robinson Fresh, a leader in fresh produce sourcing and supply chain solutions, announced the donation of more than 50,000 mangos to families in need. Totaling roughly 6,000 pounds, the mango supply was distributed at seven different Hy-Vee locations in Iowa earlier this month, including in Chariton, Cherokee, Denison, Marshalltown, Muscatine, Perry and Storm Lake.

ASHRAE has published an updated guideline to assist in control of legionellosis associated with building water systems. ASHRAE Guideline 12-2020, Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems, provides guidance useful in the implementation of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems. The guideline is intended for use by owners of human-occupied buildings and those involved in the design, construction, installation, commissioning, management, operation, maintenance, and service of centralized building water systems and components.

The closures of restaurants, hotels, and schools have left growers with heaps of fresh produce without a destination. With crops often grown exclusively for the foodservice industry, growers who produce crops with a large percentage of production destined for this vital market segment are faced with incredible challenges amidst COVID-19 closures. 

In recognition and gratitude of their service during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) is giving their more than 15,000 active employee-partners a gift card to help them get what they need for their family this holiday week. Full-time employees are receiving a $100 BGC gift card and part-time employees are receiving a $50 BGC gift card totaling $1.3 million given.

As businesses reopen and face an influx of new labor, Hyster-Yale Group announces the availability of free lift truck operator training video content for supply chains adapting to the effects of COVID-19. The giveaway offer is meant to help businesses adhere to current health and safety protocols as they onboard the necessary labor to keep operations moving as the economy reopens.

“The average restaurateur makes about 4 cents for every dollar, and now with decreased traffic and increased costs, it’s even more challenging for them,” says Jim Osborne of US Foods--one of the giants of foodservice distribution to restaurants, hotels, catering, schools and more. On the latest From the Cold Corner Podcast, I talk with Osborne about US Foods’ latest initiative—the Restaurant Reopening Blueprint—to help restaurateurs navigate new guidelines for service, staffing, and customer behavior due to coronavirus.

CAULIPOWER, makers of America's #1 better-for-you pizza, announced a $1 million donation over three years to the American Heart Association's food security and education programs. In the short-term funds will immediately provide over 100,000 meals to 4,500 high-risk families in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Birmingham for the next two months.

Following nearly two dozen positive diagnoses of COVID-19 at a Ralphs in Hollywood and several protests, grocery workers represented by the UFCW Local 770 learned Monday that Kroger, which owns Ralphs and Food 4 Less, has agreed to provide free, voluntary COVID-19 testing to all members at its flagship Hollywood store. 

Foremost Farms USA will close its Chilton, Wisconsin, manufacturing facility in July 2020. Built in the 1940s, the Chilton plant makes Italian cheeses including Provolone which is sold into the foodservice market for sandwiches. The 53 employees who work at the location were informed of the company’s plans.