In the age of COVID-19, we’ve no doubt taken note of the term ‘herd immunity’ as it’s been bandied about by docs, health authorities and talking heads alike. While that may or may not be a potential outcome for us here in Canada, things are at least looking promising on the ‘hoard immunity’ front.

What’s that, you ask? In our Breaking Bread lexicon, it’s a phrase applied when the population is sufficiently immune to stockpiling sundry items at an unreasonable pace. Think back to mid-March and those pre-pandemic grocery store shelves bereft of toilet paper, disposable gloves and cleaning supplies thanks to a panic-buy spree.

On a trip to a Vancouver grocery store today, however, our team of intrepid Breaking Bread reporters found a bounty of Bounty paper towels, enough plys to satisfy even that odd family of Charmin Bears and cleaning supplies aplenty. Way to buck the stockpiling trend, Canada! The hoard immunity is spreading.

Respected journalist, food writer and editor of the (heretofore, anyway) annual compilation of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants Jacob Richler detailed some thoughts, concerns, and potential outcomes for the future of the foodservice industry in a recent MENU magazine piece entitled ‘My Last Week of Dining Out: What Comes Next?’.

Today’s the big day: our friends at Downtown Vancouver BIA are bringing back their popular #TakeOutToHelpOut promotion for another round! It makes it simple — and delicious —to support local. Just spend $20 or more on takeout or delivery from some of Downtown Vancouver’s well-known and much-loved restaurants and receive a $10 gift card (while supplies last) for your next purchase, courtesy of the Downtown Vancouver BIA. Check out @downtownvan or go to dtvan.ca for a complete list of all participating restaurants!