Drinks giant Constellation Brands has pledged $1.75 million to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), which is seeking to rebuild the US restaurant industry after COVID-19.
According to the NRAEF, the US restaurant sector saw the loss of 2.5 million jobs last year, and the group has instigated a number of programmes dedicated to recruiting employees to rebuild the sector.
“Many of our retailer partners, particularly local restaurants and their employees, have been significantly impacted by this terrible virus,” said Bill Newlands, Constellation Brands’ president and chief executive officer.
'Financial Security'
“We are proud to partner with the NRAEF and play a role in helping to rebuild the industry, and we believe that starts with the people who serve as its backbone. Our hope is to not only help rebuild the industry’s workforce with talented and diverse individuals to position it for future growth, but also to help bring financial security through enhanced employment opportunities to the thousands who have been impacted financially by the pandemic.”
Constellation Brands has also said that its Corona brand family, SVEDKA Vodka, and Meiomi will also seek to support the foundation.
“Constellation Brands stepped up at the onset of the pandemic and helped us provide much-needed assistance for restaurant workers through our Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, and we are thrilled to have their support once more,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF.
© 2021 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
