CHICAGO, IL - US Foods has been incredibly busy lately, forming new alliances such as those with C&S Wholesale Grocers, Kroger, and Albertsons as the industry at large works to maintain a balance between supply and demand. This week, the foodservice leader announced another new alliance, this time teaming up with Chef Rick Bayless to aid unemployed restaurant employees through food and income. The strategy for this initiative begins with Chef Bayless’ restaurant, Frontera Grill.

“As soon as restaurants began to shutter, our thoughts immediately turned to getting food to the most vulnerable people in our industry,” Bayless said. “This project can touch the lives of many thousands of displaced workers.”

According to news source Chicago Tribune, fifteen laid-off workers began working at the Frontera Grill this week, sorting boxes of groceries—each full of 30 pounds-worth of fresh food.

Once sorted, the boxes are distributed to participating restaurants, totaling up to roughly 800 boxes processed every week. The program came to fruition when US Foods reached out to Bayless offering support.

“We are honored to be collaborating with Chef Rick Bayless,” said Anthony Kingsley, Local and Sustainable Product lead at US Foods. “US Foods has a long-standing commitment to helping our restaurant operators as they support our communities, and that has never been as important as it is today.”

The news source noted that this program is funded by an anonymous Chicago-based foundation, and Bayless has established an additional emergency fund for employees.

Stay tuned in to ANUK as we bring you the latest updates in the industry.

US Foods