At this time last year, we at Refrigerated & Frozen Foods (the sister publication of Food Engineering) decided to put our annual Foodservice Distributor of the Year Award on hold. The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated unprecedented shutdowns in foodservice—restaurants, hotels, schools, caterers, stadiums, and other volume venues—leaving behind thousands of shuttered businesses. To put it lightly, there was very little to celebrate in foodservice last year.

Over the last 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains from end to end around the globe. In many cases, food and beverage processors suddenly learned the hard way where weaknesses in their supply chains were. Justin Marx, CEO of Marx Foods, a supplier to restaurants and home cooks, shares insights on the ongoing supply chain challenges facing the industry.

Food Engineering’s annual State of Food Manufacturing shows processors are still responding to the effects of COVID-19.

Recent trends caused mostly by the COVID-19 pandemic have put the squeeze on food processors and the supply chain to get food where it needs to go. Now as some states and cities are “opening up,” restaurants and other food service establishments are beginning to see their business increasing, which will mean a gradual shift in the supply chain—something that most processors and logistics providers will be able to handle, compared to a year ago when supply chains broke everywhere.

A closer look at loading dock safety trends and what solutions are available for operators.