The food and drink industry fights back

The coronavirus outbreak is a global, human tragedy. This view intends to provide business teams with a perspective on the evolving situation following many conversations in the industry during the pandemic.

Starting to write about the Good Things that food businesses are doing is a bit overwhelming. How incredible is that? That there are so many positive business responses? With 56% of consumers wanting to hear how brands are helping out communities in response to the coronavirus pandemic, this is the time to shout about it.

Starting with clients past and present:

Carlsberg has donated $13.1m through the Carlsberg Foundation to put together a team of the very best Danish researchers within the relevant research fields to help fight the Coronavirus - both concerning the current pandemic as well as future ones.

Kelloggs are donating cereals to NHS staff and have unweighted their donations to Fareshare.

Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie has taken a 50% drop in pay during the crisis to support the business, and the business has postponed rent for pubs, is offering takeaways and home deliveries.

Adelie Foods are opening up their distribution network and warehousing facilities to any business who may be struggling with the capacity to deliver at this challenging time.

And moving to other absolutely incredible projects:

Leon has turned their shops into mini supermarkets and is supplying Leon meals in pouches to NHS staff across London. Incredible #FeedNHS

Of course, Brewdog and the sheer volume of hand sanitiser they are donating plus their bosses have given up their 2020 salary

Morrisons is opening an extra hour a day to produce food for food banks, as well as launching their Food Box, which can feed two people for a week

We love the campaign from Proper Popcorn, who are asking shoppers to nominate ’Supermarket Legends’ to whom it will deliver a month’s worth of snacks

Foodservice giants Brakes and Bidfood have teamed up to deliver food to homes

Will this episode change our nation’s relationship with food forever?

Image via @LEON