GRA Weekly

January 18, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Ecolab

STEPHANIE FISCHER TAKES LEAD AS GRA CEO

Stephanie Fischer Takes the Lead at Georgia Restaurant Association

The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) celebrates a new chapter as Stephanie Fischer brings new leadership, a new culture of collaboration and a strategic plan for growth. As president and CEO, her immediate focus is on building relationships within the restaurant industry by traveling the state to meet and connect with stakeholders outside the major cities. Read more about Stephanie and her vision for the GRA on our blog.

#86THESTIGMA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

Giving Kitchen, Georgia Restaurant Association and DBHDD Launch #86TheStigma Campaign

In an exciting new initiative, Giving Kitchen, the Georgia Restaurant Association, and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) are proud to introduce the #86TheStigma campaign. This partnership is a concerted effort to bolster awareness and utilization of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, especially among individuals in the food service industry, a demographic increasingly confronted with behavioral health challenges.

In Georgia, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that from 2017 to 2021, individuals in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations accounted for at least 224 suicides. And an August 2023 CDC report highlighted the elevated risk faced by those in food service roles, with a rate of drug overdose deaths alarmingly high at about 130 per 100,000 workers.

Addressing the necessity of this campaign, Bryan Schroeder, executive director of Giving Kitchen, stated, "The #86TheStigma campaign exemplifies the unity of our communities. In partnership with dedicated organizations and Georgia’s incredible restaurant community, we aim to shine a light on the often overlooked yet critical aspect of mental health, empowering individuals to seek support without hesitation or fear."

Thanks to our partners at Lexicon Strategies for working with these partners to create pathways for health and help!

If you would like to get involved or would like more information, contact Sarah Thorson, VP, Development.

GRA FOUNDATION UPDATE

Local ProStart Students Mentored by Restaurant Industry Veteran + Community Leader

Last week, culinary students at Berkmar Highschool in Gwinnett County received a visit from their new mentor, Phil Hickey, Chairman of Miller's Ale House. Phil shared his story of professional growth with the students while providing guidance on effective leadership in the restaurant industry. Do you want to make a difference and mentor a ProStart school? Contact Katie Ashley, Foundation Programs Manager, to get involved.

Pictured, left to right: Phil Hickey addressing students; Phil Hickey, Katie Ashley, and Chef James Bryant; Berkmar High School Culinary Team

IHG Welcomes Booker T. Washington for Tour

In December, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) extended an invitation to Booker T. Washington High School for a tour of the InterContinental Buckhead. Chef Larry Alford and his culinary class enjoyed a presentation highlighting the various jobs available in the hotel and hospitality industry. The tour included exploration of hotel rooms, amenities, ballrooms, and the kitchen, followed by a delightful multi-course lunch. The students also engaged in a voice-guided table-setting game, adding an interactive element to the experience.

Georgia ProStart expresses gratitude for the opportunity to support schools and the industry. If you are interested in providing a tour of your business to a ProStart school, please contact Katie Ashley, Foundation Programs Manager.

Volunteers Needed: Help Our Industry Grow

The Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation (GRAF) is currently recruiting industry leaders to mentor ProStart Students and serve as judges at the 2024 Georgia ProStart Invitational - which will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 8:00AM - 4:00PM at Gas South Convention Center. The GRAF is seeking volunteers with experience in the Hospitality industry and a passion for service. Read the full flyer here.

To register as a mentor or judge, contact Katie Ashley, GRAF Programs Manager, for more information.

2024 TASTE OF GEORGIA

15th Annual Taste Of Georgia Legislative Reception

We are excited to announce the 15th Annual Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception on Wednesday, February 21, 2024! This annual event is an opportunity for GRA members to showcase their food to elected officials and for our legislators to network with our state’s second largest employer. The honorees of the 2024 Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program will also be recognized.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

5:00PM - 7:00PM

Georgia Freight Depot

65 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr

Atlanta, GA 30312

GRA Restaurant Members: If you are interested in participating and showcasing your restaurant, contact us. Attendance is complimentary for lobbyists, dignitaries, legislators, and staff, however registration is required. Discounted registration is available for GRA Restaurant Members.

2024 GEORGIA GROWN EXECUTIVE CHEF PROGRAM

2024 Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program

The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Georgia Grown campaign has partnered with the Georgia Restaurant Association for a statewide Georgia Grown Executive Chef program. The following terms outline the commitment to the Georgia Grown Executive Chef program.

Participant Requirements:

Incorporates locally grown product into your menu, educating patrons about foods that came from local farms and generating awareness about the product and their producers.
Promotes and fosters a relationship between chefs and farmers, while creating a greater awareness among both restaurateurs and consumers about the availability of quality, local products in Georgia.
Demonstrates knowledge about which local Georgia products are available for the cooking season.
Assists local chefs on a strategy to incorporate locally grown produce into their menu.
Aims to provide public school culinary education and school food nutrition by educating, training, or developing recipes.
Provide a list of products you source locally and farms you work with and/or the approximate percentage of your menu that is sourced locally.
Available these dates:
Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception on February 21, 2024 from 5:00PM - 7:00PM.
Georgia ProStart Invitational on February 29, 2024 from 8:00AM - 4:00PM to judge.
One full day on March 23 or 24, 2024 to do 1-2 live demos at the Georgia Food and Wine Festival (date TBD).
Available for at least one other Georgia Grown event or outreach during the year.

The Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Restaurant Association appreciate your support and participation in the Georgia Grown program. Your involvement in this program contributes to our mission to create a greater awareness both among restaurateurs and consumers about the importance of buying and eating local. Apply by January 31, 2024. For information on how to apply, click here.

SERVSAFE UPDATE

ServSafe Releases 2023 Annual Regulation Review

Each year, ServSafe puts together a comprehensive overview of all major updates in the food and alcohol service industry so restaurant owners, operators, and managers can stay informed in the year ahead. Click here to download your copy of ServSafe’s 2023 Annual Regulation Review now to stay up to date on the foodservice regulations and laws impacting Georgia.

DELIVER SCIENTIFIC CLEAN WITH ECOLAB

2024 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

2024 Public Affairs Conference - Save the Date!

The National Restaurant Association has opened registration for the 2024 Public Affairs Conference. The conference will be from April 15-17 at the Westin Downtown in Washington, D.C. If you are interested in attending, be sure to save the date with more details to come soon!

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

2024 State Legislative Session Kicks Off

Monday, January 8th marked the start of the 2024 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Legislators from across the state will travel to Atlanta to gavel in the new year. Notable issues being taken up this year include budget appropriations, tort reform, housing reform, access to healthcare, and labor regulations. We will be sure to keep you up to date on any issues affecting the restaurant industry as we embark on yet another 40-day session.

Savannah Alcohol Update

The Savannah Department of Revenue has provided updates on the license renewal process, dates for Sunday sales, and the Server Training Program. The submission deadline for the Alcoholic Beverage License (ABL) renewal packages was on December 31, 2023. However, the Savannah DOR has extended a grace period, with a final application date of January 28, 2024. For more information regarding the Server Training Permit Card click here.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Mompreneur Business Grant Opportunity

The Kitty Fund will award a total of $25,000 to 25 small business owners who identify as mothers in 2024. Eligible businesses must be based in the U.S., have annual revenues under $5M, and employ between 2 to 50 people. While applications don’t open until March 2024, those interested can pre-register today.

Calling all Female Entrepreneurs

The Papaya Grant offers $10,000 to support the long-term success of a female-owned small business. U.S.-based female entrepreneurs focusing on their entrepreneurial challenges, brand missions, and grant utilization intentions can apply by March 31.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the issuance of a final rule to help employers and workers analyze whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The announcement follows a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on October 13, 2022, which led to thousands of comments from a diverse array of stakeholders that helped inform the regulatory updates.

The final rule, Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, provides guidance on whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA. Misclassification is a serious issue that denies employees’ rights and protections under federal labor laws and hurts the economy at-large. The Department believes this final rule will protect workers from misclassification, while at the same time providing a consistent approach for those businesses that engage (or wish to engage) with independent contractors.

For more information, please visit: Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees

On December 20, the FTC extended the public comment period by 30 days for its proposed rule that would force restaurant operators to eliminate service fees and surcharges. This follows the Association’s request for an extension. Operators now have until February 7 to comment on the proposed rule by customizing and submitting the template letter here.

Learn more: Watch a recording of the Association’s recent explainer webinar here or check out a fact sheet on the proposed rule.

IRS | ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program Launched

Businesses who received Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim funding in error may now repay these funds through the IRS’s new Voluntary Disclosure Program. Deadline to apply is March 22, 2024.

Employers who also wish to explore withdrawing a previously submitted ERC claim due to questions of accuracy/possible fraud now have the ability to do. Employers should carefully review the withdrawal process instructions as well as the Employee Retention Credit Eligibility Checklist to determine eligibility.

PREPARING FOR WINTER CONDITIONS

Preparing For Winter Conditions

As temperatures continue to drop, now is the time for restaurants to prepare! Emergencies can happen with extreme weather conditions like sudden temperature drops, snow, and ice - all of which can cause power outages. Some tips to get winter ready:

Letting cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes, even at a trickle, can help prevent pipes from freezing and potentially flooding.
Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.
Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0° F, and the refrigerator is at or below 41° F.
In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.
Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer.
Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
Purchase or make ice cubes in advance, and freeze gel packs ahead of time. Store all of these in the freezer for future use in the refrigerator or in coolers.
Check out local sources to know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased, in case it should be needed.
Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.
Make sure to have a supply of bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from flooding. If your bottled water has an odor, do not drink or use it. Instead, dispose of it, or if applicable, call your bottled water provider to make arrangements to get a replacement.
How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing
Food and Water Safety During Power Outages (FDA)
Winter Weather Preparedness (GEMA)