The need for physical distancing to contain the spread of Covid-19 paved the way for the expansion of the food delivery service in urban centers. As customers can no longer visit their favorite restaurants due to quarantine restrictions, more and more restaurants are offering delivery service or take outs. To satisfy their hankering for their favorite meals, patrons will order via apps or drop by their favored establishments for take outs.
The expected easing of quarantine restrictions in the next few days, particularly in major cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), will not mean that food delivery will just fade away, as establishments will continue to observe physical distancing to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections. Pending the discovery of a vaccine against Covid-19, consumers will continue to use food delivery service to minimize the risk of being exposed to the virus. Food delivery services will allow restaurants, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to somehow stay afloat given the challenging business environment brought about by the pandemic.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Global Agricultural Information Network report prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila had projected that the Philippine food service industry could go up by at least 8 percent this year to a record $16.11 billion. The report, which was released in December 2019, noted that the improvement in the purchasing power of the middle class will power the industry’s growth in the next five years. Millennials, comprising about a third of the total Philippine population and who spend the most on food, will also boost the earnings of restaurants (See, “Growing middle class seen dining out more,” in the BusinessMirror, December 10, 2019).
It remains to be seen whether food delivery will help restaurant businesses stay afloat, but it will allow Filipino families to celebrate milestones, such as birthdays, with the proverbial pansit and roast chicken on their table—courtesy of food delivery services. As more and more families turn to food delivery, we urge restaurants to ensure that they observe hygiene standards and food safety law and regulations. We enjoin restaurants to continue using fresh ingredients and materials for all their dishes as the strict adherence to food safety regulations will allow establishments to enjoy the continued patronage of their old-timers and even gain new ones.
As restrictions to mobility could hamper the operations of restaurants, we call on the Department of Agriculture to explore tie-ups with these establishments. The lifting of the enhanced community quarantine in the NCR will not necessarily make it easier for these establishments to buy vegetables and other agricultural products due to the need to observe physical distancing.
Apart from giving restaurants access to high quality agricultural products that are not available in their neighborhood grocery stores, these tie-ups will also enable farmers to increase their income.
To prevent contamination, restaurants offering food delivery must see to it that the containers they use are clean and safe. They would do well to remember that these food items must be placed in the right container, as it will take some time before the product reaches the doorsteps of their customers. While customers will give restaurants some leeway given the current business environment, food outlets could lose their patrons if they will take shortcuts to save on cost.