Dennis Davin and Russell Redding: Staying in, carrying out in Pa.
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Dennis Davin is the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Russell Redding is the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Since the beginning of time, food has been something that brings people together. Pennsylvania is home to more than 26,500 restaurants — from the classics to new, modern concepts — which have been and continue to be an integral part our of communities.
Since the Wolf administration took the difficult but necessary step to close in-person operations at restaurants across the state to protect the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians, the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) developed a comprehensive tool to help all of us who are staying home easily stay in touch with our favorite local restaurants. With many small businesses adjusting hours or menus during this time in cooperation with the order, the new CarryoutPA website allows you to stay the most up to date on what’s available near you.
What’s more, restaurants now have the temporary flexibility to sell meal kits or raw ingredients in addition to their regular menu of takeout items.
In an effort to curb food waste, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture food safety inspectors have begun implementing a temporary policy by the FDA allowing restaurants and food manufacturers the flexibility to sell bulk foods and ingredients to their customers without the usual labeling requirements.
Being able to support our restaurants, owners, and employees — some of whom may have been in our neighborhoods and lives as long as we can remember — gives us a sense of community that many of us need during this time. It’s a way to see some of our favorite faces, albeit safely behind masks, and make those connections that many of us are missing from businesses we are used to frequenting.
While it may seem small, it’s a big way we can show our appreciation and loyalty, and financially support businesses that we know are making difficult sacrifices to keep us and our neighbors safe.
And let’s be honest, our piles of dishes are growing as we all do our part to keep our loved ones protected and healthy.
As we all adapt to activities with social distancing in mind, now thanks to technology, we can even enjoy our favorite takeout meals with each other through a screen — and inspire our family and friends on where they could get their next takeout meal from. From the restaurant, to your home, to your screens, these connections with friends and family are crucial for us during this challenging time.
CarryoutPA continues to grow, and we encourage foodies everywhere to make sure their favorite restaurants are a part of this resource. Restaurants can join at no cost and immediately be at the fingertips of hungry Pennsylvanians in their community.
We encourage everyone using this resource to share their takeout meals on social media with the #CarryoutPA hashtag to inspire others and let them know what you were craving.
The Wolf administration is beyond grateful for the commitment to health and safety that Pennsylvanians have exemplified over the past few weeks. Our social distancing efforts have been effective, and because of that, we can begin the gradual process of a phased and strategic reopening of our state.
Our commonwealth is notoriously strong and resilient and now, more than ever, we should support our local restaurants and inspire others to do the same. While we continue to stay in, let’s make sure we carry out.