Eugene's Table Publishes 2020/21 Annual Impact Report

Every Summer, Eugene’s Table celebrates it’s successes by publishing an Impact Report. The document highlights the partnership’s events, marketing, projects, advocacy, and community investment from the past year.

This year was one of immense challenges.  Our manufacturers faced unprecedented operational complexities managing food and staff safety during the COVID-19 pandemic while coordinating especially chaotic purchasing and sales channels.  Despite operational complexities, the pandemic highlighted just how important the food and beverage manufacturing industry is both locally and abroad.  Many of our brands experienced incredible demand for their products.  We also saw new businesses find traction with local consumers who’s cravings and financial support for local products only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Eugene’s Table membership also grew substantially in 2020/21.  The partnership brought on 13 new companies representing a variety of products and scale.  Our Industry Advisory Board galvanized it’s efforts to guide project development and continued to meet and drive work forward.  We have also seen that wages in the industry increased by more than 5% (nearly $10 million) between 2019 and 2020, which is just one indication that the sector is full of vitality.  

Our work continued to highlight Eugene’s Table core values of connection, amplification, and advocacy.  Throughout the year, membership leveraged the partnership’s communication platform to discuss ever evolving issues such as PPP loans, COVID-19 workplace rules, and staffing problems.  Eugene’s Table invested substantial time in building relationships that expand our community and create platforms for more voices to be heard.  The partnership created original content to highlight our local industry and the people that make it great.  We also catalyzed important projects to support workforce training, sustainability (specifically food waste), and entrepreneurship.