Restaurants Prepare for Packaged Food Sales

April 15, 2020, 5:20 p.m. ·

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Restaurants across the state are preparing to sell packaged food and other items typically sold at grocery stores, after the Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that it will waive certain food labeling requirements.


Rod Strong is co-owner of the Bullseye Sports Bar and Grill in Hastings. He said he heard the idea of packaged food sales pitched by companies like Cisco and US Foods.

Bullseye has been doing limited takeout and curbside pickup during the pandemic and is now planning to sell some staples and small amounts of produce.

Strong said his restaurant has a loyal customer base, including some older people.

"They’re really nervous about going places. Our local Walmart had three confirmed employee cases out here," Strong said. "So if we can give them a half a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread or a dozen eggs, if we can help them out with that type of stuff and help ease their anxiety. And it just helps me keep a few more people working, it just helps us all get through this thing."

Strong is hoping to include paper products and sanitizer, but said even restaurant suppliers have had some supply issues with those products.