COVID-19 is changing the way we feed ourselves and how food reaches our table.
While we are all trying to avoid in-store shopping, the vulnerable may not feel they can safely leave their home, for any reason.
Online ordering demand has exploded, but the major chain stores' systems have not been able to meet demand and will not be able to in the next several months - for technical, supply chain and staffing reasons.
The Food "Supply Chains", which have different chains for retail grocers and restaurants/hotels, have seen the restaurant/hotel demand collapse - and have been struggling to get their food to consumers vs. throwing it out. An example is Dairy Farms throwing out milk as reported 2 weeks ago.
This is also hitting local Farmers hard, particularly with the uncertainty of if or when the City of Ottawa and private Farmers Markets will open in 2020. The Easter markets were cancelled
Food Option - online resources
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Savour Ottawa's local food guide - provides searchable database/map of local farms, producers and stores. Make use of the panel to the right of the map to filter/focus on the type of food, location, etc.
- A guide to Ottawa's independent restaurants offering takeout and delivery | Ottawa Citizen
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Local Eats Ottawa offers a compiled list of Ottawa restaurants offering food delivery or pickup
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Together-Apart.ca - This site is meant to be a resource for the residents of this city to find local spots to order from and support
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Edible Ottawa - A list of food services available during Covid-19 closures
- How to get groceries delivered by small Ottawa-area companies during COVID-19 | Ottawa Road Trips – well researched list. Covers groceries of all types, local producers (bakers, cheese, beer, cider) meet specialists, snacks/desserts/treats, coffee, tea, mild and other non-alcoholic beverages, soups
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Local CSA Farms - Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a program where a consumer/family can buy shares in the food produced by a farm (collection of farms), which is delivered throughout the year (or growing season). This is one way of ensuring supply in uncertain times for both families and farms
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Local Farmers Markets - it is understood that there will be announcements in early May from the Ontario Provincial Government and City of Ottawa on Farmers Markets
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Food Links Directory - Food and nutrition programs and services in Ottawa for people experiencing food insecurity
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Carp Farmers Market - vendors offering pick-up/delivery - also offers links to all the vendors, what they offer and how to contact them
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Local Food Banks & Cupboards - Food Banks servicing Kanata, Stittsville, West Carleton, Richmond, Bells Corners, ...
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Grocery & Pharmacy Chain Pick-up/Delivery options - Pick up and delivery options for the major grocery and pharmacy chain stores for Kanata
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Restaurants - pick-up and delivery - Do pick-up if you can. 3rd party delivery providers (e.g. UberEats) take their cut out of what you pay the restaurant (as much as 30%), which means many restaurants are losing money on every delivery order
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Other Food Options - Including hours reserved for seniors/vulnerabel