Behind every heaping pile of curly fries, every scoop of ice cream, every mouthwatering burger, there’s a long chain of people, from farmers all the way to chefs, responsible for putting food on the plate. It’s not often glamorous, but the importance of their efforts cannot be overstated — by providing sustenance, they offer our communities a chance to connect and come together to celebrate.
At Winter by the Water, the Seattle Waterfront's new February festival, the fun will be fueled by local businesses opening up their kitchens to the crowds, from Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Anthony’s Pier 66, to all the food stands inside the BECU Vendor Hall (located inside Bell Harbor International Conference Center).
As a proud partner of ExplorePNW and Winter by the Water, Harbor Foods wants to show its appreciation for all of the heroes working behind the scenes at the event and across the hospitality industry who pour their hearts and souls into feeding us.
For more than 100 years, the company has done its part to uplift the Pacific Northwest’s food scene, serving more than 7,500 restaurants, convenience stores and independent retailers from its four distribution centers, providing menu development, custom solutions and efficiency through cutting-edge technology.
Stop by the check-in desk on Feb. 21 at Pier 62 to pick up a special “I ❤️ Restaurant Workers” pin — a small but meaningful reminder to say thank you, smile at the person serving you, and notice the care that goes into every meal and drink along the way. If you work in the industry yourself, wear it with pride. If you don’t, wear it as a sign of your support.
It’s not hyperbole to say the entire food ecosystem would collapse without partnerships built on mutual respect, and one that is very near and dear to Harbor Foods’ own mission is Big Table, a Spokane-based nonprofit dedicated to making sure no one falls through the cracks.
Photo courtesy of Big Table
For restaurant and hotel workers, putting on a smile is usually a job requirement, but that outward facing joy can also mask the stress inside. Unfortunately, the industry also sees the highest rates of people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, divorce and broken relationships, untenable stress levels, job instability and rapid turnover, all without any safety net.
Big Table’s care model operates on a personal level, beginning with a personal referral from a manager or fellow employee when they notice a struggling colleague. That’s followed up by immediate crisis care, from doctors and dentists to therapists, auto mechanics and lawyers, all coordinating to keep an individual or family from falling off the ledge. But that’s just the beginning. Once some stability is established, Big Table follows up with long-term coaching and mentorship, serving accountability and encouragement with a hearty helping of hope.
“Because restaurant workers help create the special moments that impact our lives, from road-trip pit stops to major family celebrations, we have a community responsibility to ensure they are seen and cared for in return,” said Nathan Stromberg, the director of marketing for Harbor Foods. “We are proud to work with Big Table to support these essential members of our community, ensuring we don't just take their service for granted but actively invest in their well-being when they need it most.”
Want to pitch in to help Big Table? There are plenty of ways to get involved, from financial gifts to hosting a benefit event or even “adopting” a restaurant.