HOMEMADE, HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS
In a world of so many different “buzz words”, one that I think we do not mention enough is “pivot”. With small business owners scrambling to save their livelihoods, having to reinvent the way in which they operate, pivot is a daily word in their lives.
One industry that has proven to have encountered some of the largest obstacles since the pandemic hit was within the restaurant community. Not necessarily the big chains, but the sole ownership places, the ones with great food, great service, and are community-based. Pivoting for these folks has been tough, to say the very least.
“One thing that many may not think about when it comes to our industry is that it’s not just about us as owners, but we have a responsibility to keep running for our employees and their families as well”, explains Jordan Lawlor, owner of Judy’s Restaurant in Erin, ON. “Our staff are like family to us, so finding new ways to keep our employees working has been essential to how we have chosen to move forward and operate for the past two years.”
Judy’s Restaurant has been part of our community for years, and has stood strong based on its amazing food, always fresh and made with local products wherever possible. “Judy’s has always had a reputation for its healthy homemade food. We buy our produce and meat from local suppliers, and a majority of our other goods we also source locally. It’s important to us to not only support other local industries, but that we make our food with a “fresh to table” flair, as our customers deserve only the best.”
So, in an effort to continually pivot and embrace the new trend of healthy eating, Jordan has reinvented some of the space at his restaurant location. “We decided to test out a selection of our freshly frozen food menu items, calling it the “Frozen Pantry”. Not necessarily those items that were on our existing menu, but we’ve expanded our options to new dishes that freeze and keep well. Foods like shepherd’s pie, lasagna, quiches, soups and stews, and classics like mac and cheese, all homemade. We’ve also packaged some of our items to be family friendly, where the portion sizes can feed a family on those nights when there’s just no time to cook, and you don’t want to rely on just fast food. Not to say we don’t all have fast food from time to time, but we’ve chosen to present healthy food options, hot and ready to eat in just a short amount of time, to fill your body with energy and comfort.”
In these days where health is of top priority, but also while emotions are running high and stress levels are at a peak, Judy’s can be just what the doctor ordered with their new “Frozen Pantry” options.
And don’t worry about wanting to enjoy some of their traditional delicious and popular take-out dishes, they are open and happy to prepare any one of your favourites!
WRITTEN BY: KELLI M. MADDOCKS | RESOURCES: JUDY’S RESTAURANT, ERIN
