The coronavirus pandemic has upended life for millions of people all over the world, in a way that’s unprecedented in modern times. Nearly every business and industry has been affected in some way, especially the food service industry. All across the country, restaurants have been either forced to close, or to switch to take-out only. It’s been a major shake-up, but many restaurants have found ways to adapt and keep restaurants processes fresh during COVID-19.
Certain businesses, like Mother’s Juice Cafe, have had to face a particular challenge: the disruption of the supply chain. High-quality juice bars depend upon having access to the freshest ingredients possible, and COVID-19 has made some of those ingredients harder to come by.
Nevertheless, Mother’s Juice Cafe has refused to compromise their commitment to freshness; for them, it’s simply a matter of maintaining stringent safety standards as well as ensuring the quality of their products is as good as it’s ever been.
A Word On Food Safety
One major concern many people have had is whether or not the virus can survive on fruits and vegetables. Can you catch COVID-19 from food you buy at a restaurant or juice bar? While many of the mechanisms behind this disease are still unknown, the consensus seems to be that the disease is transmitted through respiratory droplets that are ejected when people breath, cough, or sneeze.
For this reason, most researchers believe that there’s no evidence anyone has had the virus transmitted to them from a food item. Nevertheless, juice bars and restaurants that depend upon fresh ingredients shouldn’t take any chances. At Mother’s Juice Cafe, all ingredients are washed as they come in, and all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned by staff that have been trained in the best, and most up-to-date, food safety practices.
Getting The Freshest Ingredients Available
We don’t need to explain to you how difficult it’s been to get certain items during the pandemic. Most people are no stranger to grocery aisles that have been picked clean, with some things (like toilet paper) being nearly impossible to come by. Fewer workers in the industry, along with an increased demand, and a general anxiety regarding the scarcity of food and supplies, has led to a disruption in the supply chain for many different ingredients that are used in fresh juices and smoothies.
This disruption in supply has led some juice bars to compromise on the freshness of their products. Using canned and frozen products might be one way of getting around a paucity of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, however businesses like Mother’s believe that this also has an adverse affect on the quality of the juice. Mother’s refuses to serve any juices that aren’t made from the best ingredients available, preferring to find alternative solutions to the issue of ingredient scarcity.
One way that Mother’s has avoided the supply problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is by working closely with local farmers. It’s easier to get fresh ingredients when they don’t have to be transported over long distances to get to the juice bar; there are less chances for a supply problem to occur, even during a nationwide shutdown.
The pandemic has also had a deeply adverse affect on the economy at every level; Mother’s commitment to working with local farmers helps to keep them employed and the local economy vibrant and healthy.
What If Ingredients Aren’t Available?
Of course, even though Mother’s and some of the other best juice bars in the country have worked hard to continue receiving the freshest ingredients possible, the magnitude of this crisis means that, sometimes, an ingredient simply won’t be available for a certain amount of time. If this is the case, Mother’s will not resort to a frozen, or canned, option. They believe that this will compromise the taste, freshness, and healthfulness of the product in an unacceptable way. They will simply tell you that the ingredient is not available.
This means that, at times, you may not be able to get your favorite juice or smoothie; but, don’t worry! There will still always be plenty of other fresh and delicious smoothies for you to try. Don’t be afraid to get something you haven’t had before.
The Health Benefits Of Juicing During A Pandemic
While all of this is going on, having an occasional juice is more than a delicious treat (although it’s that, too): it’s an important tool for keeping your health and wellness in tip-top shape during a very difficult time in our history.
Obviously, it can’t hurt to keep your immune system in great condition when there’s a risk of disease. Juicing is one of the best ways to do this, because they provide your body with an incredible amount of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients that give your body’s ability to fight disease a boost.
There’s also the mental health benefits that go along with juicing. Many people living through this time are struggling with anxiety and depression as a result of not being able to go outside as much as they would like, or as a result of financial or health worries, or due to a dramatically reduced ability to socialize with their friends and loved ones. While juice can’t solve these problems for you, they can help to boost your mood with a burst of vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids like L-Theanine.
Stuck Inside? Consider A Juice Cleanse
If you’re stuck inside as a result of COVID-19, whether because you are working from home, or because you have lost your job, you may want to consider a juice cleanse. There’s no better way to alkalize and detoxify your body than by a three day cleanse; during that time, you’ll drink only healthy juices, which will help your body to release built-up toxins, ultimately leading to improved health, glowing skin, and weight loss. When your friends, co-workers, and loved ones are finally able to see you in person, they may not recognize the brand-new, healthier you!
