It’s CKNW Kids’ Fund #PinkShirtDay here in BC — a day to encourage each other to practice kindness and wear pink to symbolize that bullying has no place in schools, workplaces, homes and online.

In a larger sense, this ‘think pink’ movement also extends to the many small and independent businesses that we are proud to showcase here at Breaking Bread and that have seen a rise in ‘anti-maskers’ and others refusing to comply with COVID-19 health and safety protocols at their cafes, restaurants and more.

On this day particularly we salute all of you out there who are doing your best to keep both your staff and guests protected at all times and stand with you against bullying, threats and intimidation of any kind.

As our PHO Bonnie Henry says so often, and so well — Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe.

And as we like to close out every caption here at Breaking Bread — Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local. 💕

BIG NEWS FROM THE BC GOVERNMENT:

Changes to allow restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences to purchase beer, wine and spirits at the wholesale price set by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) are now in place permanently!

Temporary changes to allow for wholesale pricing for the hospitality industry were implemented June 2020 and set to expire March 31, 2021. Before that, hospitality licensees – including restaurants, pubs and tourism operators with liquor licences – paid full retail price (wholesale price, plus a retail markup set by the LDB) on most liquor purchases.

These changes permanently allow licensees to pay the wholesale price for the products they purchase, which is the same cost paid by government and private liquor stores in the province when they purchase stock for retail sale.

Other changes have included a number of temporary measures, such as extending the operating hours of retail liquor stores to promote physical distancing and accommodate vulnerable populations, and permitting all food-primary and liquor-primary licensees to deliver sealed, packaged liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal.

“This is welcome news, as access to wholesale pricing on a permanent basis will help alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by industry due to the pandemic,” said Trevor Kallies, director of beverage, Donnelly Group. “Business owners can now move forward with a focus on other areas, such as the health and safety of staff and customers, and keeping our businesses alive.”

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

Spotlighting a great piece from @josasvari in @thevancouversun this past weekend that details how COVID is prompting the local restaurant industry to tackle its bigger, more challenging systemic problems.

“COVID sped up all the problems in the industry and fast-forwarded them 10 years,” says Brandon Grossutti, owner of PiDGin restaurant and founder of the innovative FromTo delivery service. “Now we have to deal with them, and if we don’t deal with them, the only option is to give up and close.”

In response to the high — and often unsustainable — commissions charged by delivery apps, Grossutti launched FromTo, which offers delivery at cost for restaurants and changes diners a flat $6.50 fee. Some 30 restaurants are already on board with another 95 in the works. While the service is only available in Vancouver, it will eventually expand to the suburbs and beyond.

“Montreal and Toronto are calling, and Calgary, but we only have so much money we can handle,” he says. “We’re not making any money. But I’d rather lose money and make sure that everybody is okay.”

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.