The Middleby Movement: Staying Connected in a Disconnected World

It’s hard to believe what we’re seeing across, not just the landscape of foodservice, but the entire world. It hasn’t been easy. It might get more difficult. But we will get through it.

In the food and beverage industry, the great irony is we’ve been stripped of the thing that most binds us — our love of connectivity, community, and of course, hospitality. In fact, we’re being told those very things are what’s dangerous, but we don’t have to let temporary circumstances get in the way. Here at Middleby, we’re going to do everything we can to help our industry partners stay connected in our currently disconnected world.

How?

One of the positives that will come out of this event, and there will be many positives, is we’re all figuring out new, innovative, and creative ways to maintain our most beloved personal communities. We’re having virtual happy hours and birthday parties. We’re getting in touch with people we haven’t spoken with in a while. In the business world, we’re using technology to talk about the challenges and solutions that are the most important.

If you’re a foodservice equipment dealer or one of our buying group partners, we have opportunities for you to use this time to enhance your knowledge base with our Middleby Meet & Eat webinar series. If you’re one of our valued manufacturers’ reps, we’re available to help you with your own digital outreach efforts. And if you’re a foodservice operation of any type, from school cafeterias staying open to continue feeding our kids to restaurants who are staying open to continue paying their staff, please know we’re here to support you in any way we can.

To add to the pile of Winston Churchill quotes you may have seen over the last few weeks, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” As individuals, it’s not going to be easy for any of us. But as an industry, we will get through it together. Especially if we’re thinking about what we can contribute to the effort.