News Briefs

Happenings From Around the Industry

Meet Makenzie, ORLA's Newest Team Member

Makenzie Marineau comes to us with great experience in the nonprofit world along with government relations, communication, and volunteer engagement skills. In addition to government affairs expertise, she has years of experience working within the hospitality industry in Oregon. In her role as Government Affairs and Regional Leadership Teams Coordinator, she will be helping the association and its members achieve success through the development and ongoing oversight of regional groups of restaurants and lodging operators as well as programs to benefit the hospitality industry. Makenzie will serve as the lead government affairs staff member in the Portland Metro region and will provide administrative support for regional leadership teams outside of the region.

Flex Fund Supports ProStart Program

Thanks to our partners at Sysco, the Oregon Hospitality Foundation had the opportunity to extend a small grant application in support of ProStart programs in high schools across the state. The Oregon ProStart Teacher Flex Fund encouraged teachers to apply for a $500 grant to help offset costs from the 2021–2022 school year. At the teacher's discretion, these funds can be spent to cover much-needed products or equipment within the classroom to help facilitate their culinary program. Dawn Brandtjen, FACS/CTE Culinary Instructor at Cascade High School shares, “The ProStart Flex Fund Grant Award eases my fears of running out of money before I can teach essential ProStart skills to students. As we all know, the cost of food and supplies have skyrocketed, leaving our budgets impacted and lesson plans altered. I am so grateful!” To learn more about how ProStart is helping foster our next generation of industry leaders, or to see how you can support this valuable career technical education program, visit OregonRLA.org/prostart.

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary is a global movement that has inspired millions of people to try eating vegan in January (and beyond.) Last year alone, more than 629,000 people signed up to eat plant-based food for 31 days. The folks behind Veganuary.com want to make it simple for this massive movement of hungry consumers to find the best options out there! Veganuary is now a key Q1 event and marketing tool in which thousands of brands, restaurants and retailers participate each year. Members of ORLA are welcome and encouraged to utilize Veganuary in your marketing, at no additional cost, to connect with a huge audience of plant-based consumers. It’s easy to get involved: Launch a new plant-based menu option, limited time offer or similar promotion for Veganuary and share on social media using #Veganuary2023. For support and help to amplify your news, email uscorporate@veganuary.com!

New Resource to Prepare for Natural Disasters

The National Restaurant Association released a new restaurant-specific disaster preparedness guide, Always Ready: Natural Disasters. The step-by-step resource collects best practices from official sources and restaurant operators – to provide recommendations for what to do in advance, during, and after a natural disaster. The information in the guide covers natural disasters that are felt across the country, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, wildfires, and severe winter weather. The guide is free to all operators and available to download on the National Restaurant Association’s website at Restaurant.org/alwaysready.