Each pin represents worksites involved in the DWG Program
(February 18, 2021) – Since the Spring of 2020, the foodservice industry has suffered historically high levels of unemployment and the need for culinary staffing has rapidly declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food preparation and distribution efforts in Massachusetts have been critical during this time. Front line and emergency food service organizations have been looking for ServSafe certified cooks who can prepare meals, licensed drivers who can help with emergency food distribution needs and general-purpose laborers who can fill food boxes, handle deliveries and manage inventory.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Snapchef partnered with the MassHire Department of Career Services in the COVID-19 Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grants (DWG) program to address food insecurity and unemployment in the Commonwealth.
Through grant funding, MassHire Career Centers and Snapchef recruited laid off food service workers for deployment at 57 selected worksites across Massachusetts. Snapchef successfully served as the designated employer of record for the Disaster Workforce Grant (DWG) program, providing temporary employment to 180 laid-off food service workers, supplying worksites with more than 7,000 shifts!
Under the grant program, organizations in need of temporary food service-related workers applied to be chosen as a worksite. Applications were accepted ending with a total of 57 foodservice organizations approved for funded workers under the grant. After review, each organization was approved as a worksite and prepared to receive temporary employees to assist in its disaster recovery and food relief efforts.
“Snapchef was an exemplary partner with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to help meet the culinary employment and food insecurity needs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during the Corona Virus Pandemic.”
– Diane Hurley, Deputy Director for Program Management and Oversight at the MassHire Department of Career Services.
The MassHire system and Snapchef provided DWG program recruitment support for potential grant participants to fill back-of-the-house and front-of-the-house positions. Each eligible individual for the program was vetted by Snapchef with background/iCORI checks, employee orientation, skill assessment, and onboarding, then successfully matched to the best position at an approved worksite. Upon placement, applicants received their schedule, uniform, and PPE according to worksite arrangements.
The SNAPapp/Portal is a robust staffing technology platform that gives worksites immediate access for scheduling positions of pre-screened culinary talent and shift approvals to ensure accurate reporting of worksite needs and hours worked. The SNAPapp/Portal provides a simple and effective system designed to benefit a wide range of employers and has been able to accommodate the grant-approved food service organizations to maximize their humanitarian service capacities. Likewise, Snapchef employees use the mobile app tools to clock in and out of assigned shifts.
“Snapchef is grateful for the opportunity to partner with MassHire in the COVID-19 Disaster Response Dislocated Worker Grant program. With record unemployment levels among culinary workers, Snapchef is proud of the collaboration to provide laid-off workers with the means to return to the workforce, while also providing crucial help to food service organizations struggling to provide meals to residents in communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
– Todd Snopkowski, CEO and Founder of Snapchef.
In addition to handling position placements for worksites, Snapchef managed payroll, benefits, and workers’ compensation for each DWG program participant temporarily placed at a worksite. Snapchef worked with MassHire and its partners to manage the accountability documentation on payroll for the purposes of the grant. Snapchef also offered support services, such as career and training workshops, to each temporary worker participating in the grant program.
Through the establishment of the DWG program, Snapchef and MassHire not only created temporary re-employment opportunities for displaced food service workers but also supported organizations and their food preparation and distribution efforts by replacing lost volunteer and staff capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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About Snapchef
Snapchef is the largest hospitality training, staffing, and placement company in New England. Our clients include hospitals, senior living communities, five-star hotels, caterers, corporate cafeterias, universities, and restaurants. Whether you are looking for temporary or permanent kitchen staff or a food service corporate executive, our experienced management team works one-on-one with you to find trained staff of all experience levels to meet your specific needs.
Snapchef also offers a comprehensive range of foodservice and hospitality training and consulting services. Our mission is to fulfill the needs of employers, empower individuals, and be an economic engine for New England. Snapchef is chef-owned and operated, learn more at www.snapchef.com
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