County launches Pima Eats website, Facebook page to support local restaurants

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Pima County
food

County launches Pima Eats website, Facebook page to support local restaurants

PIMA COUNTY, April 2, 2020 – Pima County launched a website and Facebook page this week to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local restaurant industry.

The Pima Eats website and Facebook page will help patrons locate restaurants and food businesses offering takeout and/or delivery, educate consumers on food safety measures, and help them know what to expect in a rapidly changing environment. The Pima County Health Department continues to inspect these establishments to make sure they are continuing to abide by all food safety and hygiene regulations.

The mandated closures of restaurants to comply with social distancing has hit many of these businesses hard, forcing some to close down and/or lay off staff.

Since the closures do not stem from food safety, and the virus is not spread from food, many local restaurants have modified their format to provide call-ahead or online ordering for curbside pickup or delivery.

The County’s vibrant restaurant industry is the heartbeat of the first designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the U.S. and employs more than 34,000 people representing about 14 percent of all jobs in Pima County. Almost two-thirds of the County’s 2,500 restaurants and bars are small, locally owned businesses operating on very small margins and the economic impacts of this pandemic have been severe.

Consumers can help by:

  • Following Pima Eats on Facebook to learn more about participating restaurants and special promotions like Tucson To-Go.
  • Ordering takeout from a local restaurant at least once a week or as you are able to.
  • Purchasing gift cards to use later or give to family and friends.
  • Sharing your photos and experiences on social media to show your support and encourage others to do the same.

Media contact: Catherine Strickland, Marketing Program Manager, Pima County Attractions and Tourism Office, 520-724-7352, Catherine.Strickland@pima.gov