It goes without saying, the food and beverage industry has been through the wringer in 2020, and while it may seem like we’ve come out the other end, many establishments will feel the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic for many months to come.
So, we’ve teamed up with Harris Coffee, one of Australia’s original coffee roasters, to help support the cafes that have become such an important part of our communities. Along with serving up some easy tips to follow, Harris Coffee are also helping to support some cafes doing it tough with their Cafe Recovery Project, an initiative to provide one million dollars' worth of support to help up to 25 cafes around Australia get back on their feet. So if you or someone you know owns a café that could use a helping hand, click here for more information.
Treat Yourself
Like we needed an excuse? If you're contemplating a second coffee for the day or you've been eyeing off that banana bread in the cabinet, snap it up and treat yourself knowing you're helping with every dollar spent. As well as treating yourself, make sure to treat the baristas and wait staff with positivity and patience. Sometimes even just a small amount of understanding and compassion can make a hospitality worker’s day. If you’re dining in, keep an eye out for things like self-serve water and stack your plates or put your rubbish in the bin on the way out. Small gestures like this can make a world of difference to an understaffed team.
Be Armed And Ready With Your Reusable Cup
While keep cups may be off the cards in your area for now, make sure you’re armed for when they’re being accepted again. Not just keep cups but any reusable containers are a great way to help keep cafe's outgoings down as well as being great for the environment. With many cafes no longer accepting reusable cups, look for more sustainable single-use solutions like BioCups, which are certified commercially compostable.
Share Helpful Resources
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Harris Coffee is giving up to 25 Australian cafes the chance to receive a share of a stimulus package valued at one million dollars. Australian cafe owners can apply for the Harris Cafe Recovery Project, that will support them in rebuilding from COVID-19, receiving free coffee, a free on-loan machine and grinder as well as free takeaway cups courtesy of Biopak for one year. Not only that, but the support also provides barista training and up to $5,000 in marketing support to enable cafe owners to connect with their local communities, as well as provide them with the platform to take advantage of tourism initiatives in their local area. This will help to cover the major coffee-related overheads for a cafe, ensuring they can focus on doing what they do best and serving their communities with great-tasting coffee. So if you or someone you know could use a helping hand, click here for more information.
The Perfect Gift Idea
Struggling for a gift for a coworker, in-law or friend? We can guarantee you that 10 out of 10 times, getting a gift voucher from one of their nearby cafes is always going to be a winner. Not only can you rest easy knowing it’s a gift that will be used (and savoured), it will help to further direct income to local cafes who need a cash injection. So, when in doubt, think coffee shout.
Consider Small Business
Whether you’ve had a big night and woken up dying for an epic feed or you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, always try to prioritise your local or small business when you can. Not only will you feel better for not smashing a huge greasy feed, but you can also feel good knowing you’re directing your disposable income to small business owners who need it most during this time.
Is your local cafe struggling? Next time you’re ordering a cuppa, let them know about the Harris Cafe Recovery Project and let them know to apply on the Harris Coffee website, here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Harris Coffee and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Image credit: Brent Gorwin