Sysco Canada launches project to help food industry

March 31, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – Sysco Canada, the country’s largest foodservice company, has launched Foodies Unite, a new initiative to help heal the food industry in Canada.

The program represents the company’s commitment to leverage its supply chain to provide services to the retail grocery sector, help its restaurant customers adapt to the current rapidly evolving environment, and provide meals to those most in need.

Prior to the impact of social distancing orders implemented as a result of the spread of COVID-19, for many Canadians, up to half of their meals were being consumed outside the home through the foodservice industry like restaurants, pubs, meal kits, hotels, education and sports facilities.

Today, many more families are eating at home more frequently and a surge of consumer demand has overwhelmed the retail supply chain’s ability to keep store shelves stocked. As a result, Sysco is leveraging its supply chain to support the retail grocery sector with logistics services and much needed product, both in Canada and across its global operations.

“As an essential service, it’s time for us to step out from behind the scenes so we can all step up for Canada. Even while we all focus on practicing proper social distancing, we believe Canadians can unite to heal the foodservice industry and bring us all back together, stronger than ever,” Randy White, president of Sysco Canada, said in a press release.

White said Sysco is committed to helping its customers through this time of uncertainty and has developed a wide range of tools and resources, available online. These resources include industry insights, how to develop a takeout/delivery platform, and social media best practices, among many others.

Sysco has also partnered with food relief organizations such as Food Banks Canada, Second Harvest and Breakfast Clubs of Canada to help make food available to the populations that are in need through the Food Rescue program. As a result, the company will donate 250,000 meals to support these food relief organizations.

Sysco’s family of products includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company has more than 69,000 associates and operates more than 320 distribution facilities worldwide.