Arizona Restaurants Can Now Sell Groceries and Pantry Items
A new revenue stream and a different way to attract customers.
Worth Takeaway Grocery Bundles: Shamrock Farms whole milk, 1 Bottle of Sonoran Dessert Olive Oil, 1 Pound of Shamrock Farms butter, 2 Pounds ground beef patties, 1 Loaf of white bread from City Bakery (their bakers), 1/4 Pound cheddar cheese, 1/2 Pound sliced turkey, 2 Pounds chicken nuggets (raw, plain chicken breast), 1 Bag of Steadfast Farm mixed greens and 2 Rolls of toilet paper.
By now we all know that Arizona bars and restaurants have been ordered to take out and curbside operations only. These orders have sent our food industry into a tailspin, while grocery stores face challenges in keeping their shelves stocked. A new executive order, signed April 7 by Governor Doug Ducey, seeks to find a common solution to both of these issues.
The order loosens the regulations on what and how restaurants can sell. Items such as bulk raw meat and vegetables, cleaning products, paper goods, and bulk ready to eat food can now be purchased. Restaurants in dire need of cash to pay back wholesale suppliers, retain employees, pay rent and other bills, are now able to try to meet the demand created by the strained resources and supply chains of our grocery stores. More importantly, loyal customers now have an added option of where to get quick grocery items — their favorite local business!
Here’s a quick guide to starting and taking the utmost precautions:
Hotel Congress Market says: In this very trying time, we are adapting as we see opportunities to help support our community. As we all know, there have been shortages of essential everyday items in stores, so we are working to help make it a little easier to get these items. Orders made by 1pm on Sundays will be ready for pickup on Tuesday between 3pm and 6pm. Orders made by 1pm on Wednesdays will be ready for pickup on Friday between 3pm and 6 pm. $25 MINIMUM FOR ORDERS TO BE FULFILLED!
Food must be wholesome and unadulterated
Open RTE (ready to eat) foods must be sold within the date marking requirements
Cold TCS (time and temperature controlled for safety) food must be held under refrigeration at or below 41 degrees
Customers should be advised to return food to refrigeration as soon as possible after transport
Raw meat must be stored away from other food during storage and transport
Businesses must assess their traffic flow and operate according to social distancing requirements when engaging in takeout or curbside delivery
Cleaning and paper products must be in their original containers and clearly labeled
This new market is possible because of the buying power of restaurants. The supply chains that supply our grocery stores and those that supply our restaurants overlap some but are often two very different systems. For example, your favorite local restaurant that champions small farmers and growers in Arizona. The restaurant has direct access to these farms whereas a grocery store would likely have to work through a third-party distributor or wholesaler in order to access these foods. Additionally, restaurants have access to cleaning products and paper goods from suppliers that do not service your local grocery.
Restaurants now have the opportunity to be responsive and innovative while creating much-needed cash flow. The restaurants can also become a valuable resource in neighborhoods and communities where food access is already an issue or where grocery stores cannot keep up with demand.
Additionally, Accurate Chemical has plenty of resources for restaurants considering pivoting to this new revenue stream, check it out here.