BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The governor announced a stay-at-home order and the closing of all non-essential businesses, leaving many in the community to make the necessary adjustments.
This excludes essential businesses, such as grocery stores, take out and delivery food only.
Two local food businesses are working together during the outbreak to provide food options to the community.
Ralph Fruguglietti has owned Frugattis Italian restaurant for nearly 30 years.
He shares that he has not seen anything like the panic that coronavirus has brought.
He wants to remind the community about the importance of supporting local businesses.
"Major chains have a lot more dollars to work with and survive something like this, versus a local operation," said Fruguglietti.
"That’s why we wanna see, support the local guys like the Restaurant Runners because these people have been here for you."
On Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsoms implemented a stay-at-home order, which is requiring the closure of all non- essential businesses.
Essential businesses include gas stations, pharmacies, banks, laundry, and food delivery services, like the Restaurant Runners.
They also have seen an uptick in business.
"We are making sure that food is always bagged before it is sent out," said Jarrett Jamieson, Restaurant Runner owner. "Our drivers each day to make sure no one is sick they aren’t allowed to work if they are sick."
The Restaurant Runners is a local food delivery service based in Bakersfield.
The company offers its services to over 70 predominately sit down restaurants. Now the company is waving delivery fees.
Since the outbreak, even their drivers like 16-year employee Mark Lazare, who has been faced with change while working during the outbreak.
"As I have gone to make deliveries to medical offices they have tables outside with nurses, and they ask you three questions concerning COVID-19," Lazare said.
"They are screening you and they take your temperature to make sure you are ok. Then they put a sticker to verify you meet the requirements before you go in."
The organizations say that local food delivery services help assist the strain on grocery stores, caused by the virus.
"Again even with the delivery companies like Restaurant Runners they rely on restaurants, and if we aren’t doing what we do they don’t have a job," Fruguglietti said.
Lazare says it is his responsibility to take additional steps to ensure the safety of their services during the outbreak.
"We also have contactless delivery where a customer can, request we put the food on their doorstep," said Lazare.
Both organizations are grateful to continue their work and hope the pandemic does not call for additional measures.
