We all want to support our local restaurants and food businesses right now, and there are plenty of ways to do so. But, it can all be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re scrolling social media to try to figure out what’s what. A new and awesome website, Dining at a Distance, was developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis that is threatening the hospitality community across the country. It aims to help diners figure out exactly which restaurants in their cities are offering which specific services. Rapidly developed in the past few weeks by Sean Lynch, a digital experience senior product manager, and Jenn Galdes, a hospitality veteran and publicist (both based in Chicago), Dining at a Distance is a grassroots effort to help connect local restaurants to the neighbors who want to keep them in business.
The main page lists, in alphabetical order, cities and towns across the world. The Pennsylvania communities currently listed are Erie, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. When you click on a city, you’re presented with a spreadsheet of local bars, restaurants and cafes that are open. The info shown includes website, phone number, address and most importantly, if the spot is offering gift cards, takeout/curbside pick-up and delivery, and if delivery is available through a third-party, like Grubhub, or direct from the restaurant. You can search, sort and filter through these to find what you’re looking for.
A newer function of Dining at a Distance is the Farms page, which is organized by region; Pennsylvania is part of the Mid-Atlantic region. PA farms, which also desperately need our help, are listed here, like Gauker Farms in Fleetwood, PA, and Yellow Springs Farm in Chester Springs, PA (more are being added to the list every day). Many of these farms are offering pick-up and delivery services, which can be great alternatives to heading out to the supermarket.
Please share Dining at a Distance with any farmers or restaurant owners who may want to be included, and please use this as a resource to continue to help our small local businesses in need!
- Feature photo: Barbuzzo
