March 13, 2020

From the Executive Director

In light of the recent developments with the spread of Coronavirus we all must take diligent and extreme measures to ensure our patrons and staff are in a safe environment. We feel that the best course of action is to have all the necessary tools and measures in place in order to provide a safe and positive environment for guests to enjoy a great meal in a casual environment and our staff to work in a stress free and knowledge based workplace. We will continue to provide feedback on the development of this virus and how it effects our industry. Your MRFA staff is here to provide any guidance and feedback as needed. I am consistently in contact with the Provincial health protection unit and our industry partners to ensure you have the latest in operational information. While it is difficult to assuage the fears of the public concerning the spread of this virus, ensuring your establishment is following hygienic practices as outlined below can help patrons feel safe.

What is 2019-nCoV Coronavirus?

2019-nCoV (Coronavirus) is virus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory illness. It was first detected in Wuhan, China. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Typically, respiratory viruses are most contagious when an individual is most symptomatic, but there have been reports of the virus spreading when the affected individual does not show any symptoms.

Can the coronavirus be spread through food, including refrigerated or frozen food?

According to the CDC, “Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food.”

How are restaurants responding across Canada?

The foodservice industry follows strict local public health guidelines. To meet these guidelines, restaurants have safety protocols and best practices in place including guidance from Health Canada. Owners and operators should continually refer to the Government of Manitoba website for the latest advisories/information about Coronavirus in Manitoba. The Association also has obtained a fact sheet from Restaurants Canada with information specific to our industry. Post in all accessible areas to ensure everyone in your establishment is aware of all signs of potential infection. Completion of a facility prevention audit is a great way to show due diligence in ensuring your establishment is prepared.

What can we all do?

Health Canada suggests that people take the same steps they would to keep from getting the flu: get a flu vaccine, take everyday preventative actions – like washing your hands often – and contact health links at 204-788-8200 or toll-free 1-888-315-9257 when you are sick and ensure that your employee’s feel safe and open to stay home if they suffer symptoms. Below are posters from Restaurants Canada that you can post in your facility to aid in effective staff sanitizing procedures.

1) How to wash your hands properly?

2) How to Disinfect your hands properly?

3) Hand Hygiene poster

Sainte-Thérèse, March 12, 2020 – Cora Breakfast and Lunch is proud to announce the launch of a new website, CoraFranchise.com, dedicated solely to franchisee recruitment across Canada.

Cora Breakfast and Lunch, which originated in the Greater Montreal area in 1987, today has more than 125 restaurants across Canada and plans on adding over 40 more in the coming years. The website serves as a tool for potential franchisees to learn more about the advantages of acquiring a Cora franchise, the support offered and the steps to becoming an owner. The website also allows interested parties to apply for a Cora restaurant franchise directly on the platform.

“British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario are provinces in which the growth of Cora franchises still has a long way to go, with more than 40 areas on our radar,” stated Marvin Shahin, Executive Director of Development. “Further, there exist a number of opportunities for our chain throughout Canada and we are exploring strategic international development. Our work-life balance concept is one of the many benefits of choosing a Cora franchise. It allows franchisees to build their careers and yet have evenings off to enjoy quality time with family and friends.”

March 9, 2020

Attachments:

Press Release- Nature Knows Inc New 100 Percent Compostasble Bags Feb 2019.pdf

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March 9, 2020

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo top the Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index for third year in a row amid declining brand power as a whole in the wine category

Building on feedback from over 20,000 wine consumers in 21 markets – representing 380 million wine drinkers globally – the third annual Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index is tracking decreasing consumer awareness levels, albeit at a less steep rate than the previous edition of the report. This year, recalled purchase levels are also lower, most likely a factor of reducing awareness levels.

The Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index 2020 incorporates consumer feedback from six key brand health measures and an index is calculated at a global level as well as at a country level across 21 key wine markets. As well as expanding the scope of the Index by one market, the mix of markets has changed slightly: Chile, Denmark and Switzerland have been removed, while Colombia, Finland, Hong Kong and Mexico have been added.

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo once again top the Global Wine Brand Power Index, claiming the top two spots, respectively. As such, Australian and Chilean brands perform very well in the index relative to the size of wine production in these countries. In addition, a third of the top 15 is comprised of US brands – notably Gallo and Barefoot – which in part is due to the influence of the large US wine drinking population in the study, and the affinity American consumers show towards domestic wines.

Notable movers on the Global Wine Brand Power Index include Barefoot, which has jumped 8 places to make it into the top 5, and Frontera, which has climbed seven places to make 8^th in the index. Santa Carolina has also climbed seven places to tie for 12^th with Beringer. On the other hand, Mouton Cadet has fallen 5 places to 10^th and Robert Mondavi has fallen 7 places to sit at 14. Torres has also climbed two places to make it into the top 15 this year.  

Commenting on the report, CEO Lulie Halstead said: “The advantages of a powerful brand are clearly demonstrated in the global wine market today. However the path to becoming a power brand is becoming harder, as consumer knowledge levels in the wine category decline and ‘noise’ from other drinks categories increases.”