Catering – like the entire hospitality industry – has been hit hard by the COVID-19 global pandemic.  So how are local businesses coping with this?  We take a look at a few firms: Poppy’s, Marcia Selden Catering, Dish Food & Events and Naturally Delicious.

Jamie Erickson of Poppy’s has moved over to local farm grocery sales and away from catering.  Marcia Selden Catering is still providing foods for birthday parties, albeit virtual ones.  In fact, they had one “virtual birthday party” in which they provided cocktails and double chocolate cakes along with a virtual karaoke MC. According to Marcia Selden Catering’s Managing Partner Jeffrey Selden, they have to just contend with whatever situation they are faced with.

It seems like the biggest need right now is home delivery so one has to consider what works better being reheated and move away from fancy presentation. As a result the menus have changed as has the packaging.  So Dish Food & Events for example is now offering lasagna, meatloaf and rotisserie chickens over colorful hors d’oeuvres.

Snacks, dips and enchiladas are being used in place of homemade pretzels and other firms are trying out meal packages with a set minimum.  Another firm – Naturally Delicious – is now offering provision boxes containing meats, cheeses, wine and beer for delivery.