📅 BIG PLANS FOR RCSHOW'24

Remember 2021? The “Interview”? The Bernie Sanders mitten memes?

2021 was also the first-year anniversary of The Re-Seasoning Coalition. Armed with the results of our first national survey, we dreamt about putting the data to work in a big way to present the problem and provide realistic solutions.

After two years of conversation, we’re excited to announce that our vision has been realized and the 2024 Restaurants Canada Show will feature the first-ever Black Experience Pavilion, developed in collaboration with Foodpreneur Lab!

In this 40x20 ft. space, Show attendees can enroll in our e-learning program, explore a range of innovative products, and diversify their supply chain by connecting with Black farmers, producers, and foodpreneurs.

The Pavilion will also feature a mass networking session where companies can connect with Black talent to reap the revenue and innovation benefits of increased representation.

We don’t often toot our own horn, but we highly suggest marking your calendar for this history-making occasion happening April 8-10, 2024.

To add your company to the list of featured brands at the networking session, email elle@thereseasoning.org before March 1st. We can’t wait to see you there!

⛄️ HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A SNOWMAN

It’s been three years since the social justice protests that rocked the world and forced CEOs to sign pledges for systems change. Since then, we’ve seen media coverage dwindle, promises go unactioned, and systemic discrimination remain steady.

If you need a refresher on why DEI and anti-racism work is vital to the health of the foodservice industry, read the second edition of our report - especially pages 11 and 12.

It’s shocking. Frustrating. Real. We updated it with more operator, employee, and consumer verbatims to remind change agents like you that we’re fighting against a system that wins when we work in silos and thrives on our collective inaction.

Download your exclusive copy of our report and hit Reply to let us know what comment shocked you the most.

🔑 ARE YOU READY FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH?

If you’re reading this, you probably know why your organization should celebrate Black History Month (BHM) each year. Despite this knowledge, it's possible your DEI, culture, or HR teams don’t have a plan in place for doing so in 2024.

That's OK, we're here to help.

Here are our top three tips for setting yourself and your teams up for success next February (and March, May, June, and September!):

1. Be intentional by tying BHM activities to organizational values. In addition to securing buy-in from leadership, this strategy makes it easier to identify which projects or presenters are the best fit for your company. Taking the time to choose ideas that align with your broader organizational picture also shows your employees, racialized or not, that you understand the significance of Black History Month and believe that honouring it is integral to your brand’s corporate strategy.
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2. Make the month count by breaking BHM into several touchpoints. Just like a good cocktail, consistency is key to a positive, lasting impression. Rather than putting pressure on internal teams or an external presenter to make a splash, consider engaging company stakeholders to drive engagement on a weekly basis. Your leadership team could share a video with their thoughts one week while your HR team hosts a potluck another. Regardless of how you decide to structure the month, know that more touchpoints mean more voices and more experiences to celebrate; that’s diversity & inclusion in action.
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3. Develop a healthy budget! One of the worst experiences for a Black service provider is being low-balled or shortchanged by a brand asking you to share your time, resources, and lived experience during Black History Month. Unfortunately, the frequency of this experience means that Black service providers are more likely to spread the word when it happens, negatively impacting a brand's reputation on a couple of fronts. Earmarking funds for BHM avoids the ripple effect of this kind of interaction and makes it easier for you to say yes to quality experiences that enhance company culture and set a meaningful precedent for celebrations to come.

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BONUS GIFT! Here are some Black food & beverage experts who host fun and informative corporate workshops:

• Rachel Adjei, The Abibiman Project​
• Latoya Fagon, Twist Catering​
• Raquel Fox, Island Gurl Foods​
• Ren Navarro, B. Diversity. Group​

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Happy holidays from The Re-Seasoning Coalition!