ON Business at home: Eating well

Published on 28 April 2020

Our local cafes and cellar doors are grappling with sudden social distancing restrictions and a lack of tourists. Trips to the supermarket have become fraught. Economic hardship has increased the number of those seeking emergency food assistance.

Thankfully, Onkaparingans are a creative and resilient bunch, and below you’ll find a directory of businesses and organisations adapting to the changes and continuing to provide delicious meals to residents and those in need.

One such business is Morphett Vale Indian restaurant, Pan Indian, which pivoted to solely takeaway and delivery when strict social distancing restrictions came into effect in March.

Its income has been down 20 per cent since, but its owners still decided to offer free meals and grocery kits to students in self-isolation and those in financial hardship for two weeks earlier this month.

“We belong to the Sikh religion and community, and our guru, Guru Granth Sahib, teaches us to help people in need or in crisis in the form of langar [communal free kitchen],” says co-owner Jaspreet Singh.

The Pan Indian team have also contacted humanitarian aid group Khalsa Aid with the offer of delivering groceries on their behalf to people in need.

“We love this area and our message to the community is please support local business,” Jaspreet says.

Supporting local businesses

Eateries have had to adapt to government restrictions fast, which has seen drive-through bottle shops offering takeaway pub meals, and popular cafes offering deliveries and pre-made heat-and-eat meals.

The ON Business Partner Program business directory is a great way to find new local places to wine and dine, while a public Facebook group promoting restaurants and cafes offering pick-up and take-away in the southern suburbsis also a gold mine for recommendations.

Tourism hotspots

Our McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast region is home to an abundance of award-winning cellar doors, wineries, restaurants, cafes, craft beer and gin distilleries. While they’ve all been affected by social distancing restrictions, thankfully many are still open for takeaway and home delivery.

We’ve put together a handy list (updated daily) of who’s offering what, so you can still order your favourite dishes while supporting local.

Groceries

If you’re in quarantine or self-isolation, or simply looking to reduce your time in the supermarket, there are a heap of places offering grocery delivery and/or click-and-collect services across the city.

The major supermarkets’ offerings are complemented by smaller local grocery businesses such as Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers Morphett Vale, TC’s Fruit and Veg at Seaford, Suntralis Foods at Lonsdale, Meeting Place McLaren Valeand The people’s pantry at O’Halloran Hill.

And, if you’re still heading out to grab your groceries, the Willunga Farmers Market is still open for business.

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