Restaurant Industry Urges President Biden To Address Supply Chain Issues

On Monday, the National Restaurant Association sent a letter to President Biden highlighting that 95% of restaurants have suffered "significant" shipping delays and shortages of key food supplies, and 75% of operators have been forced to alter their menus. The letter suggested solutions that would have a long-term impact on the restaurant industry.

“Faced with these very challenging times, our industry is doing its level best to protect employees and customers, while restaurants are struggling to keep their doors open,” said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of public affairs for the National Restaurant Association, in the letter. “Taken together, these recommendations can work to help our nation’s restaurants that are being crippled as the pandemic rages on and supply chain challenges grow.”

The first solution proposed in the letter is to create a clear path for legalization of more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. The Association also asked for an overhaul of the visa worker program to match willing workers with willing employers.

The Association also emphasized the need for expanded employment opportunities, particularly around eliminating stereotypes of hiring ex-convicts. To address the current truck driver shortage, the Association suggested allowing more young people to enter the trucking industry as drivers.

The letter also calls on President Biden to provide tariff relief, as well as support the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, which establishes minimum requirements for shipping contracts to ensure transported goods are not unreasonably refused, and enacts reforms to address unfair business practices.