BCRFA Update March 18, 2021

1. BC GOVERNMENT EXPANDS GRANT PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES. From the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. The B.C. government is investing $42 million to help businesses launch or upgrade an online store that will provide the platform they need to increase their sales revenues, become more competitive and grow.  These grants will provide business owners, including those in hard-hit sectors such as retail, tourism and restaurants, with up to $7,500 to build or improve their online store and promote BuyBC at a local, national and international level. Learn more and apply: E-COMMERCE GRANT

2. GATHERINGS AND EVENTS ORDER: This has been updated to allow for groups of up to 10 people OUTSIDE. Inside gatherings are still not allowed, dinner parties are still not allowed, all indoor activities are still in effect, the only change is the allowance of outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. PLEASE NOTE: This does not mean that you can have 10 people outside on your patio, rules and restrictions remain in place to six people. We have heard from many of our members that consumers are being demanding and more aggressive with your staff and we are addressing these concerns with government. 

3. EXPRESS FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM (support in helping with the labour shortage). As the world continues to re-open we circle back on the need for more workers in our industry, as a BCRFA member you get access to the professional services of our partner Brij Rathi Consultancy Ltd is your source to accessing skilled culinary talent with our express foreign worker program. It takes four to six months for the process from start to finish so now is the time to start thinking of staffing needs for the next twelve months, as the borders begin to open and skilled workers will be allowed to enter our Country/Province these experienced workers will add to your culinary teams. We encourage you to contact Brij to get this started.

4. Feed the #Lunchboxchallenge. The BCRFA is pleased to partner with the BC Construction Association (BCCA) on their #lunchboxchallenge initiative, taking placeduring BC Construction Month throughout April 2021. The program allows construction employers across BC to apply for grants to use towards purchasing lunch for their construction crews during the month of April. Restaurants are invited to help get the word out and let construction sites around you know about the program and encourage them to apply. There are limited lunch grants available so the sooner they apply the better their chances of getting approved. Feel free to print off the poster, write your restaurant name in the box and drop off at nearby construction sites. You are also welcome to put the poster up in your window to help them know you are available as an option for the crew to choose for their lunch. Download the poster: HERE Start promoting today!

5. PROVINCE ANNOUNCES VACCINE ROLLOUT: The Province of British Columbia released the following schedule for vaccinations today:
Phase 3:
Ages: 75-79 (April)
Ages: 70-71 (April)
Ages: 65-69 (April)
Ages: 60-64 (April/May)

Phase 4: 
Ages: 55-59 (May)
Ages: 50-54 (May)
Ages: 45-49 (May)
Ages: 40-44 (May/June)
Ages: 35-39 (May/June)
Ages: 30-34 (June)
Ages: 25-29 (June)
Ages: 18-24 (June)

6. Sale, delivery of packaged liquor now permanent.  The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced today that including the sale of sealed alcohol with your take-out and delivery orders that was put in temporarily in spring 2020 and was set to expire has now been made permanent. Read the full release: HERE

7. BCRFA REQUEST TO BC MINISTRY OF HEALTH. The BCRFA has requested that the hospitality industry be considered as part of the Province's front of the line vaccination program. We have expressed the need for the safety of staff and guests, as our industry sees hundreds of thousands of guests each day across the province in restaurants, and as travel restrictions begin to be relaxed our front of house staff will be put more at risk each day. We have also expressed that this allows us to expand our consumer confidence initiatives already in place. We will update the industry once we learn more. 

8. Government Announces Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Unchanged Through to June. Today the Federal Government released the information on how wage and rent subsidy comparisons will be calculated from March 14- June 5. Calculations will be made by comparing 2021 sales to 2019 sales, there are alternate comparisons available as well. For a full explanation on the announcement and to review the calculations table visit: WAGE AND RENT SUBSIDY

9. Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.  Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.

10. Dine Around & Stay in Town Victoria Spring Program April 14 - May 2, 2021! Destination Greater Victoria and the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA), Victoria Branch, are excited to announce our new Dine Around & Stay in Town Victoria (DASIT) Spring Program! You asked, we listened! Our winter program was so successful that we want to keep the momentum going by keeping restaurant food top of mind for the consumer! Our accommodation partners will join in by offering special spring rates to encourage locals to Dine Around, then Staycation in Town! Our spring program is being offered to our winter DASIT participants at no cost! Please carefully review the guidelines for participation HERE. If you would like to opt out of this program, please email misty.olsen@tourismvictoria.com

11. STAND UP FOR SERVICE RETURNS: Help us recognize the efforts of restaurant workers by nominating them for the @BCTastesBetter #StandUpForService campaign. If an outstanding server, hostess, busser or sommelier recently made you feel comfortable and safe when you were dining out at a local restaurant, you can help them be recognized for a job well done.  From March to May, 16 nominees will receive a token of our appreciation for a job well done: a gift from @sumacridgewine and a @SaveOnFoods gift certificate.  Submit your nomination at www.bcrfa.com.

12. March FREE Marketing Feature: Burgers. As the weather gets warmer consumers start to think of foods you typically BBQ at home, we know that BC restaurants make some of the best burgers and so are featuring your burgers in the month of March. To have your burger featured, email us MARCH FEATURE with your Instagram ready burger dishes. Here is what we are looking for:
- a description of your dish
- local products featured (item, producers, processors, farmers)
- your social media handles
- any hashtags you use
- suggested local pairings (beer, wine)
- one to two pictures of the dish

One lucky restaurant who submits an entry will receive a gift pack from Russell Hendrix to help them elevate their burger game in the future.

13. DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES. The BCRFA has created a number of new guides to help restaurants and employers. You can view and download off of the BCRFA website here: RESOURCES.
New Guides include:
COVID-19 Restaurant Marketing
The Next Pivot: Preparing to maximize take away this fall/winter
Frequently Asked Questions: Patio Extensions
10 Tips for Successful Expanded Winter Patios
Helping Restaurant Teams Manage Mental Health During COVID-19

14. CALLING FOR NEW MEMBERS! The BCRFA is a member based organization we thank our members for your support and invite those of you who are not members to LEARN MORE and join our association. SIGN ME UP.

Questions about your membership? Send us an email HERE

REMINDERS.
1. CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS: 
Food and Liquor Serving Premises. View order: HERE
Gatherings and Events. View order: HERE

2. WHOLESALE PRICING MADE PERMANENT: The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced today that the changes made in 2020 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. Over the last few months the BCRFA along with our industry colleagues have been expressing the need to make this permanent and today we are happy to share this news. You can read the full release issued today here: Permanent wholesale liquor pricing will help hospitality sector recover

3. SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS GRANTS: On January 26 the BCRFA along with the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation held an information session on applying for the grant. For those that may have missed it please find links here with content shared.
BUSINESS GRANT PRESENTATION
INFORMATION SHEET
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COVID-19 SUPPORTS FOR NON-PROFITS

4. MANUAL: BEST HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR THE BC FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY. Successful management of our Human Resources - our team, our employees - is the core of every restaurant. BCRFA is here to help you succeed in all aspects of your business. Your employees cost you 30-35% of your monthly operating expenses. When replacing an employee who has quit or you have had to terminate can cost thousands of dollars, good Human Resources management is a vital part of a restaurant's ability to succeed. This manual is broken down into 19 sections, each tackling unique areas of managing people. BCRFA members can now access and download this in our members area. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the manual we can print and ship for $25. If you would like to order a hard copy or are not a current BCRFA member and would like this valuable resource please contact our membership team: MEMBERSHIP

5. Notice to Sellers of Soda Beverages: Effective April 1, 2021, soda beverages will no longer qualify for the exemption for food products for human consumption. PST will apply to all retail sales of soda beverages at a rate of 7%. To read the full notice please visit here: Notice to Sellers of Soda Beverages

6. MODUURN: The BCRFA recently announced our partnership with Moduurn. BCRFA members receive preferred pricing, to learn more visit: MODUURN, and click HERE. Moduurn has also shared a 90 Day Success Story: HERE. E-Commerce Grant + Small and Medium Sized Business Grant consideration. The BCRFA is encouraging restaurants to apply for both grants and to speak with Moduurn in regards to using some of the funds to digitally advance your websites to better accommodate consumers increasing demands for convenient ordering. To learn more on the grants see points #4 and #5 below and to learn more how Moduurn can help your business visit: Moduurn

7. MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYMENTS. We have now implemented a monthly membership payment option to help you with your monthly budgeting. This new option allows you to spread your memberships into 12 monthly payments instead of paying on your anniversary date. If you have an outstanding invoice and would like to pay using our monthly payment program please contact accounting@bcrfa.com. We have frozen membership fees for the current period, membership invoices are distributed on a monthly basis, if you have received an invoice please pay promptly

8. WESTERN LIVING MAGAZINE 2021 FOODIES OF THE YEAR FINALISTS. Congratulations to all 40 finalists including our own Ian Tostenson and BCRFA Members Meaghan and Steve Clark (Tractor), Shane Munn (Martin’s Lane), we hope to see you all in the top 10 released next month. For a full list of finalists visit: FINALISTS FOODIES OF THE YEAR.

9. Greater Victoria Business Awards. This week the finalists were announced for the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards, we want to congratulate BCRFA CEO/President Ian Tostenson for being a finalist in the category of Business Person of the Year. A congratulations to BCRFA Members who also made finalists in the following categories: TUTTI Delivery, ​Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) and Moduurn, ​Business of the Year (1-10 Employees). Winners will be announced on May 15th, to see a list of all finalists in each category visit: Greater Victoria Business Awards.

10. LOWER MAINLAND EMPLOYMENT GRANTS: The Youth Employment Bootcamp Program at the Robert Lee YMCA in Vancouver is currently looking for employers to take part in their job training program.  They run employment programming and workshops for young people 15-30 years old that are looking for work in the lower mainland. They then set up work placements for twelve weeks following their training with the aim this leads into an ongoing position.  For you this gives you access to a ready to work talent pool (15-30 yrs), trained with certificates relevant to the job such as First Aid CPR-C, Food Safe, World Host, Serving it right. Some candidates are recent graduates of post-secondary school programs.  A $10-$15/hour wage subsidy is available for the first 12 weeks of full-time employment. This is a savings of $3,600 - $5,400 for employers. Learn more: HERE. If this is of interest please contact their program manager by email here: Nicolas Tellez-Espana

BCRFA IN THE NEWS.

Restaurants and our industry continue to be a popular topic with all media outlets. Here are a few articles that have been distributed this week where Ian Tostenson, CEO/President of the BCRFA has been asked to comment.

BCRFA COVID-19 UpdateAleah Chaytor