The Do's and Dont's of Disaster Feeding

If you own or manage a restaurant, you know that feeding people is what you do best. But what happens when a natural disaster strikes and suddenly you find yourself having to feed not just your regular customers but also first responders, evacuees, and other people in need?

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Disaster feeding is a vital service that restaurants can provide during times of crisis, but it's also one that comes with its fair share of challenges. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the do's and don'ts of disaster feeding so that you can be prepared if and when the time comes.‍

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Do: Have a plan in place.

The best way to ensure that your restaurant can provide disaster relief feeding is to have a plan in place before the disaster strikes. This plan should include things like identifying who will be responsible for coordinating the effort, what resources (e.g., food, water, utensils) you have on hand, and how you will communicate with both first responders and the public.‍

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Don't: Try to do too much.

During a disaster, it's essential to focus on the basics: food, water, and shelter. If your restaurant is located in an area that has been hard hit by the disaster, then your priority should be feeding those most in need. That means resisting the temptation to turn your restaurant into a 24-hour operation or try to feed more people than you can realistically accommodate.

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‍Do: Partner with other businesses.

Disaster relief efforts are often most successful when they are collaborative in nature. If your restaurant can partner with other businesses in the area (e.g., grocery stores, manufacturers), then you'll be able to pool resources and make the most impactful difference possible. The Food Responders platform offers a place for community members to connect and collaborate amidst a disaster.

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‍Don't: Forget about safety.

Just as important as providing food and water during a disaster is keeping everyone safe while they're doing it. Make sure that your staff knows how to handle food safely (e.g., keeping hot food hot and cold food cold) and that your premises are clean and free of debris. Also, be sure to follow any guidelines from local authorities regarding the distribution of food and water.

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Disaster relief and recovery efforts are complex undertakings that require careful planning and coordination. By following the do's and don'ts outlined above, you can help ensure that your restaurant can play a vital role in feeding those who are affected by a natural disaster.

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