“Supporting Bite2Support, helps supporting the Amsterdam start-ups.”

Hi and welcome to this blog named Bite2Support. Sounds appetizing? Just keep reading.

Bite2Support is a platform active on Medium and Instagram, created to support the start-up food places in and around Amsterdam, established during corona. There are very little other industries that have been hit as hard due to the corona regulations as the food- and drink establishment industry has been. For those who are not familiar with the corona regulations in the Netherlands within this industry, let’s go back in time and put them on a timeline.

It all started during the press conference on the 12th of March, in which they announced that all food- and drink establishments had to close from the 15th of March until the 6th of April. That’s exactly nine months and seven days ago. Then, on the 31st of March, it was announced that the previously mentioned regulations would be extended until at least the 28th of April. Then, on the 21st of April they announced it would, again, be extended to the 1st of June. By now, all food- and drink establishments had been closed for five weeks… five full weeks.

Then, finally, after being closed for eleven weeks, the doors could open on the 1st of June at 12 pm. This was however, with a checktalk upon arrival and mandatory reservations; plus, the 1,5-meter distancing. Then after some weeks, on the 6th of August, another press conference was held due to the increased corona infections. The prime minister Mark Rutte emphasized people to adhere to the regulations. Also, extra measurements were taken to make sure people could be contacted through the source contact investigation; if necessary. Plus, if people would be infected with the coronavirus whilst visiting a certain food- and drink facility, they had to close for 14 days.

On the 18th of September, extra regulations were necessary to achieve a decrease in corona infections; as said by the prime- and care minister. From then on, all food- and drink establishments must shut the music at midnight and be empty at 1 am.

On the 28th of September, infections are still increasing. This meant the facilities had to close at 10 pm and guests were only allowed to enter until 9 pm.

And then, the worst-case scenario happens all over again. Update, on the 13th of October: “All food- and drink establishments must close their doors.” Only take-out and delivery were allowed. After another update on the 3rd of November, we were told that the previous regulations were necessary to remain intact, as well as on the 17th of November, when the government announced the same.

As you can read, it has been an incredibly bad, if not the worst, year for the food- and drink industry. Can we as outsiders even imagine what it would be like having to fully shut down your business for months? That scenario is as bad as it is, then imagine the start-up food places that were established during the corona crisis.

That is the reason I started Bite2Support. Every start-up needs a fair chance to succeed with their business and during these crazy times, nothing seems fair for them. If you are interested in supporting your locals or just want some extra updated information on the Amsterdam food-scene, show some love and follow!