The coronavirus outbreak is a human tragedy with very real business and economic consequences. Business leaders globally are in uncharted waters as together we face the challenges surrounding the recent pandemic and resulting economic impact. Clear Seas Research, a BNP Media Company, polled publication subscribers across its food and beverage manufacturing titles the week of March 23 to see how they are adapting.

Healdsburg, Calif.-based Gracianna Winery, a family owned and operated winery in the Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, has announced a new way to honor America's healthcare professionals, it says.

In the United States, IRI National Consumer Panel data shows customers are both making more trips and buying larger baskets in the most recent two weeks. Both pantry stocking and smaller quick trips were up significantly.

As part of ongoing efforts to support communities around the world amid the impact of COVID-19, The Starbucks Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Seattle-based Starbucks Corp., announced it is donating more than $3 million to support community response efforts globally.

As efforts accelerate worldwide to provide relief from the ravages of COVID-19, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. and The PepsiCo Foundation announced a more than $45 million initiative focused on helping people and communities most affected by this virus.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) announced that it will transition the IFT20 Annual Event and Food Expo, slated for July 12-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago, to a virtual event experience. The move comes in an effort to prioritize the health and safety of participants and the broader community throughout current and anticipated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Miami and Dallas, announced it has launched an online hub for trade customers, providing timely updates and important resources to help businesses in the hospitality industry navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Campari America, New York, announced a donation of $1 million to Another Round, Another Rally, a nonprofit that raises emergency funds for hospitality workers to support bartenders who are facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency. 

As the COVID-19 outbreak accelerates in Europe and the United States, governments, businesses and consumers are rapidly changing behaviors. In its March 26 report titled “COVID-19 Impact: Consumer Spending Tracker for MULOC Retailers – US, UK, France, Italy, NZ,” Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) collaborated with its partners at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to analyze the latest consumer purchases in these respective countries.