Heaping Helpings Special Section: How food, and those who provided it, lifted us through pandemic

CAPITAL REGION – Food and those who provided it helped lift us through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These articles, published in a special section Thursday morning, look at how they did it.

We look at the innovators, at changes at home, adapting and overcoming, and finally, giving back.

The Innovators:

• Latham: Food ordering and delivery service firm Latham-based Mealeo has grown ‘1,000%’ in pandemic
• Capital Region: Locally made products did well this year, despite or due to the pandemic
• Saratoga Springs: 9 Miles East Farm in Saratoga Springs adapts meal service through pandemic
• Capital Region: Premade or prepped, picked-up or delivered, food providers that simplify mealtime
• Capital Region: Teaching chefs keep cooking, adapting
• Saratoga Springs: After pandemic’s worst, family-owned Walt & Whitman is eager for Saratoga Springs summer
• Capital Region: Independent grocery stores adapt, pivot to endure pandemic
• Capital Region: Restaurants race to keep pace with pandemic demand for takeout
• Saratoga Springs, Albany: Pint Sized in Saratoga Springs works to remain ‘relevant’ in ever-growing craft beer scene
• Capital Region: Local bars get creative to stay in step with state requirements, keep patrons satisfied

Changes at Home:

• Zachary Matson: Kitchen to garden to grocery, lessons I hope I don’t forget
• Indiana Nash: Pandemic offered me a chance at healthier eating habits
• Joanne McFadden: The pandemic forced me to rethink my shopping, meal planning, priorities
• Adam Shinder: Stepping it up, and stepping out of my comfort zone
• Shenandoah Briere: Pandemic’s early restrictions made me more efficient at meal planning

Adapting, Overcoming:

• Saratoga Springs: Saratoga Springs restaurant owners find success, hit stride via ghost-kitchen model
• Scotia: Be Nourished cafe in Scotia, opened during pandemic, works to meet community’s dietary needs
• Capital Region: As people hunkered down, restaurants pivoted to transform their takeout options
• Niskayuna: Niskayuna woman’s home-based bakery takes flight utilizing Instagram orders, deliveries
• Latham: The donut shop as an experience; Duck does well in Latham debut
• Troy: Troy’s La Capital Tacos thriving by delivering authentic Mexico City flavors
• Broadalbin: Great Sacandaga Brewing Co. embraces growing pains in Broadalbin, looks toward expansion
• Amsterdam: At Lorenzo’s Southside, next generation of Lanzi family brings tradition back to its Amsterdam roots
• Altamont: Armed with passion, plenty of recipes, woman finds success with new Curry Patta in Altamont
• Clifton Park: After many setbacks, chef opens Spice Malabar in Clifton Park to positive feedback, support

Giving Back

• Albany: Free Food Fridge project provides access for Albany residents
• Schenectady: As pandemic hit, new Artis restaurant in Schenectady persevered and gave back to community
• Albany: Nonprofit Feed Albany pivots from restaurant employees to packaged meals for anyone in need
• Saratoga Springs: Saratoga Springs’ Broadway Deli found ways in pandemic to feed children, families in need
• Capital Region: As pandemic hit, local brewers raised money for hospitality workers, others in community
• Saratoga Springs: Cooperstown Distillery gave sanitizer at pandemic’s outset, now has spot in Saratoga Springs

Photo Caption Above: Left to Right: Julio Gutierrez prepares a pizza at 9 Miles East, Gazette reporter Shenendoah Briere cuts strawberries, Mike Spain of the Pierogi Shoppe makes pierogis and Max Oswald GM of Northway Brewing with his dog Maggie.

Categories: Food, Heaping Helpings, Life & Arts