• A while back we shared some good news about Nick and Kendra Pitillo, the owners of Osteria 166 (Buffalo, NY) and Villaggio (Ellicottville, NY), starting StockTheFeezer.com as a response to the changing world caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Since its inception in March, Stock The Freezer has now donated more than 18,000 meals, and delivered 17,000+. Check back in with this great effort to feed the WNY community at https://stockthefreezer.com/

• The National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe team has prepared a free training video outlining the steps restaurant line level employees are encouraged to utilize in returning to full-service operations. ServSafe Reopening Guidance: COVID-19 Precautions aligns with the content provided in the COVID-19 Reopening Guidance document created by the National Restaurant Association, ServSafe, and subject matter experts. Video topics include:
• Knowing COVID-19 symptoms and preventing its spread.
• Recognizing actions to reduce risk to employees and guests.
• Guidelines for face coverings, hand washing, and food handling.
• Guidelines for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
• Physical and operational changes to maintain social distancing.
• The National Restaurant Association has provided us with a synopsis of the new U.S. House of Representatives “Heroes Act” that is their “Phase Four” response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure has provisions that are very important to our industry (including our approach to improving the PPP program), and provisions that will be more challenging for our industry (extension of enhanced unemployment, extension of emergency paid-sick leave/FMLA). 
• FDA has provided a food safety reopening checklist for previously closed restaurants or those that have been open with limited service to review. This checklist addresses key food safety practices for food establishments to consider. Click here to view the most up-to-date checklist.
• Technomic has issued an updated paper Technomic’s Take: Supply Chain Strain
• The U.S. Treasury released additional updates to the Payroll Protection Program’s Frequently Asked Questions today.

• Here is the Map of the 10 regions of the state and a list of counties within each region for reopening purposes. Today, the North Country region met all seven health criteria for reopening on May 15. Currently the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier and now North Country Regions are set to begin Phase 1 of reopening on May 15. Phase one includes construction, manufacturing, retail – curbside pickup, wholesale trade, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.
• NYSRA began delivery of washable, reusable face masks to restaurant workers and delivery drivers today. The masks were given to NYSRA by the State of New York through the State Liquor Authority. Today’s giveaways were held at Antun's of Queens Village and the Buffalo Bisons/Sahlen Field. If you live in those areas and would like to receive face masks, please contact us at [email protected]. Additional pickup dates are planned in the following areas:
• Monday, May 18
• Long Island: Havana Central​, 630 Old Country Rd, Garden City, 11am – 2pm
• Greater Capital Region: Olde Bryan Inn, 123 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, 11am – 2pm
• Tuesday, May 19
• Lower Hudson Valley: Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, 11am – 2pm
• Wednesday, May 20
• Metro NYC: Marco Polo, 345 Court St, Brooklyn, 1pm – 4pm
• ​Rochester: Rochester Public Market, 280 Union St. N, 12pm – 3pm

• Today, City Council held its second-ever virtual stated meeting. At the meeting, a package of legislation was passed that included an emergency cap on third-party ordering platform fees, a waiver of sidewalk cafe fees for the year 2020, and protections against enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial leases. In the fee cap that was adopted, third parties will be limited to a 15% fee for delivery services, and a 5% fee for any other service (promoting/listing the restaurant). NYSRA has been supportive of each of these measures, and we are glad to see City Council approve this relief to restaurants and businesses throughout the city. ​

• Calls
• Rochester Operators Meeting | Thursday 10 a.m. - Register Here
• Greater Capital Region Operators Meeting | Thursday 1 p.m. - Register Here
• NYC Restaurant Operators Meeting | Friday 1 p.m. - Register Here

• https://www.6sqft.com/nyc-food-delivery-fee-cap/
• https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/new-york-state-restaurant-association-and-liquor-authority-team-up-to-distribute-900000-masks-to-restaurant-workers/
• https://ny.eater.com/2020/5/12/21255892/food-delivery-fee-cap-restaurants-nyc
• https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2020/05/13/restaurant-workers-to-receive-masks.html?iana=hpmvp_buff_news_headline