GRA Weekly

June 15, 2023

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner Society Insurance

EIDL IMPACT SURVEY

We Need Your Help!

The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan (EIDL) program, passed in 2020, provided small businesses loans to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Small Business Administration, the loans may be used for working capital and other normal operating expenses.

-These loans are not forgivable and must be repaid

-Requirements vary depending on the size of the loan

-Loan increases are available until funds are exhausted

To better help our advocacy efforts we are asking for your feedback regarding your experience with these loans. By answering these questions we can efficiently and effectively speak to our US Senators and Representatives regarding any needed reforms to the EIDL program.

Last day to take the survey - Friday, June 16

This survey is only open to restaurant operators in Georgia.

Take the Survey Here.

PLEASE NOTE: This information shared would be strictly confidential and would only be used to help us come up with broad talking points regarding the industry as a whole and would not be attributed to your business in any way. We know this is sensitive information and we are mindful that anything you share stays internal.

FDA ADVISORY

FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Certain Raw Oysters from Dai One Food Co., Ltd, Republic of Korea

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat, as well as restaurants along with food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of Dai One Food Co., Ltd., frozen raw half shell, IQF, and block form oysters with harvest dates between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II and sold in Hawaii, Georgia, and Minnesota. Learn more.

Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections: Frozen Strawberries (February 2023)

Based on traceback data gathered during the ongoing investigation of hepatitis A infections linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico; FDA has identified additional firms that may have received potentially contaminated product. FDA has been working with these firms to ensure that any potentially contaminated product is removed from the market. Learn more.

EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

Five Ways To Kick-Start Employee Mental Health Programs

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and the well-being of employees is vital to the success of any organization. Mentally healthy employees are more productive, more engaged and more likely to stay with a company for the long term. Unfortunately, many companies neglect the mental health of their employees, leading to burnout, stress and a decrease in job satisfaction. To address this issue, here are five ways to kick-start employee mental health programs....continue reading.

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

Advocacy Recap | Columbus Kitchen Cabinet Meeting

On June 12th, the GRA Advocacy team traveled to Columbus, GA to moderate a Kitchen Cabinet Meeting with a group of local restaurateurs, hospitality professionals, and special guest Mayor Skip Henderson. The GRA facilitated a productive conversation on the unique challenges faced by Columbus restaurateurs, grant opportunities, infrastructure issues, transportation innovation, and how the Mayor’s office can continue to support the industry by investing in the Downtown Entertainment District. Special thanks to the team at Epic for hosting this event!

GRA Kitchen Cabinet Meetings are a unique opportunity for restaurateurs to bring their issues to the table and connect with elected officials. For more information about GRA Kitchen Cabinet Meetings near you, please contact Scott Bierman.

Georgia Department of Revenue | Sales & Use Tax Rates Effective July 1, 2023

The Georgia Department of Revenue has posted the upcoming quarterly sales and use tax rate changes.

Counties affected include: Taylor, Ware

Please visit the Department’s website to view current, historical, and upcoming sales and use tax rate charts.

Health Inspectors

Instances of individuals posing as health inspectors are on the rise. In many cases, individuals will contact a restaurant and demand payment for the inspection fee. Please be aware that inspection fees are only charged when a restaurant requests an additional inspection or a re-inspection. Also, the Health Department will bill the restaurant and will not ask for payment at the time of the inspection. If you ever have any doubts or want to verify that the health inspector is legitimate, you can reach out to your local health department or contact the State Health Department. If you need assistance contacting your local health department, you can contact us and we will get you the proper information.

Reminder: Questions to know when Health Inspector Arrives

Georgia Food Code mandates that every location have one Certified Food Service Manager (CFSM). However, if the CFSM is not there when a health inspector arrives, then the person in charge must be able to answer certain questions. See Georgia Food Code 511-6-1-.03(c) Correct Answers to Food Safety Questions to make sure all people in charge are prepared. Learn more.

FEDERAL UPDATES

E-Verify Customized Sessions

Did you know? E-Verify offers customized sessions that focus on your needs. From I-9 training to Employer Responsibilities, just email E-VerifyOutreach@uscis.dhs.gov to arrange the topic, date, and time of your choice. Don’t forget to also text “EVERIFY UPDATES” to 468311 to get the latest E‑Verify news.

Get briefed on the Credit Card Competition Act

Credit card processing fees have more than doubled over the past decade, and nearly 20% in the last year. Just 2 credit card companies control 80% of the credit card processing market. The Association is encouraging Congress to pass legislation that will open fee processing to more competition to drive down the cost of swipe fees, improve security and save businesses and consumers an estimated $11B annually. Learn more from the Association’s new policy brief and then take action; our grassroots activation makes it simple.

GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE

The PepsiCo Foundation’s Impacto Hispanic Business Accelerator program aims to support Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses with a $10,000 grant and coaching opportunities. Submit your application before June 16.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)’s Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative is a grant and mentorship program created to provide Black entrepreneurs with the necessary tools for success. Three winners will be chosen from a pitch contest, each receiving $50,000. Applications are due June 25.