CATERING TO DIVERSITY (CONTINUED)
“Being part of the SEARCH Foundation, a 501c3 for industry professionals in crisis, gives me a unique perspective,” adds Kate Patay (SEARCH Foundation chairwoman). “While we assist financially, each major crisis comes with additional challenges, and the way the crisis relief caterers can come into an area that is devastated, set up a temporary kitchen, and feed the aid workers, first responders, and more, around the clock, is truly remarkable. I’m in awe of their abilities and how they make such a difference.” In disaster situations, supply chains are often disrupted, making it difficult to source ingredients. Consider building relationships with local farmers, suppliers, and distributors who can provide emergency supplies if usual sources are unavailable. “The relationship we have with our suppliers is paramount,” says Mara Routh (MOE Restoration Catering), which has provided relief catering in the aftermath of several hurricanes over the years, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic). “I feel like they are my partners.” You may also need to have non-perishable items and alternative ingredients on hand to maintain meal consistency during shortages. Maintaining high food safety standards is essential, especially in relief scenarios where compromised water and sanitation conditions can lead to illness. Ensure staff are trained in safe food handling practices, carry sanitizing solutions, and have easy-to-follow hygiene protocols. If refrigeration is limited, focus on foods that don’t spoil quickly. “People think it is like super charged camping ... far from it,” says Routh. “When base camps are set up, I am mindful of having cheerful, hardworking caring people on the team. We are not just feeding them, but we also need to be a friendly ear and good listeners. We want to be able to come from a place of ‘yes,’ to meet the needs of the people on the camp.” Additionally, plan meal transport carefully,
and consider insulated containers to keep food fresh and safe during transit. To make an impactful difference in relief catering, forming partnerships with relief agencies, nonprofits, and local government organizations can be invaluable. These partners often provide logistical support, security, and additional resources that caterers might not have access to on their own. Working in coordination with these groups helps ensure that the most vulnerable populations are served promptly and consistently. Make sure to establish a clear communication channel with these organizations in order to avoid duplication of efforts and optimize resources. “There is a great satisfaction knowing what you are doing is making a difference. Helping people, breaking bread, creating a few moments in the day where the person eating what you have prepared sustains them, maybe lightens that load, and helps speed the recovery effort,” says Michael Pappas (Proof of the Pudding, which recently helped with relief efforts following Hurricane Helene). “The people on the frontlines may never know what it took to make it happen, but we know, and we are proud to have been part of it." Price points When pricing relief catering, caterers should consider several key factors to ensure the pricing is both fair and sustainable. First, the costs of ingredients and supplies should be accounted for, with an emphasis on bulk sourcing to reduce expenses. Labor costs are another crucial consideration. Since relief events often involve preparing and distributing large quantities of food, caterers should adjust staffing levels based on the scope of the event. Volunteers may reduce staffing expenses, though it’s important to ensure that core staff members are compensated for their work. “It’s ‘all-hands-on-deck' for disaster relief,” says Vessillo. “Every executive, sales team member, office employee knows they need to be available. It’s a stressful
Wolfgang Puck Catering provided meals to first r groups during the Los Angeles wildfires, despite t Photo courtesy Wolfgang Puck Catering
Since 2008, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering has provided m relief efforts, building relationships with local gov This past hurricane season, they supported comm Milton, serving thousands of meals with mobile k and insulated food storage systems. Photo courtes
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SPRING 2025 ■ CATERSOURCE
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