Since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Canada, restaurants and food businesses across the country have felt (and continue to feel) the repercussions. From coast to coast, we’re doing our part to flatten the curve by staying home. And that’s hurt many industries but particularly the food and hospitality sectors.

In fact, some 800,000 foodservice jobs have been lost, according to Restaurants Canada, which estimates that nearly one in 10 restaurants have closed permanently. If conditions don’t improve, many more will be forced to shutter their doors by the end of April. Food service sales are expected to be down nearly $20 billion for the second quarter of 2020.

The foodservice industry needs our help in a bad way. And there is something we can do.

Restaurant owners, chefs, culinary leaders and celebrities have joined forces in support of the foodservice industry in a historic movement that encourages Canadians to order takeout or delivery from their favourite local restaurant. The idea is simple: make every Wednesday #TakeoutDay.

“Restaurants are vital to the social and economic fabric of communities across Canada, but operating a foodservice business is tough, even in the best of times,” said Shanna Munro, Restaurants Canada President and CEO. “Not only was our industry among the first to feel the impacts of COVID-19, we’ve been one of the hardest hits so far, with nearly two thirds of our workforce now lost. We would love to see Canadians embrace #TakeoutDay and support those restaurants who are still able to operate through takeout or delivery.”

The nationwide effort kicks off on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. And we’ve got two amazing takeout prizes you can win.

To Enter to Win, do the following:

• Follow Like Vancouver on Facebook; like and tag a friend on our #TakeoutDay post.

• Follow Like Vancouver on Instagram; like and tag a friend on our #TakeoutDay post.

• Follow Like Vancouver on Twitter; like and RT our TakeoutDay tweet.

The more times you enter, the better the odds of winning. Two winners will be drawn at random from all eligible entries. Contest closes on April 14th at midnight. Winner must pickup their prize on April 15th at the participating restaurant as per the prize info below.

Hundreds of Canada’s favourite food personalities are actively involved, including chef Vikram Vij (Vancouver and Surrey), chef Ivana Raca (Toronto), and chef Tyrone Welchinski (Winnipeg). They are encouraging Canadians to share this campaign with family and friends across social media with #TakeoutDay. Find out where to order here.

 “#TakeoutDay aims to save more than just businesses - whether it’s the local mom and pops eatery or the popular restaurant that made it onto top dining lists. Our robust and diverse culinary scene is an integral part Canada’s unique identity and we stand to lose an important part of our culture and heritage if we don’t do our part,” says Pay Chen, a popular food opinion leader and an ambassador for Canada Takeout.

Iconic chef, Mark McEwan’s heartfelt plea to Canadians can be viewed in a video along with messages from other culinary leaders from coast to coast.

 “There has never been a time like this, never been a bigger challenge for the restaurant industry. The greatest thing you can do is on April 15th, support your local restaurant by doing takeout,” says McEwan.

 Canada Takeout urges Canadians to make every Wednesday #TakeoutDay.

For more information on how Canadians can support their local restaurants: www.CanadaTakeout.com. You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.