(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Meat wholesalers say they know first-hand that restaurants in Chicago and suburban Cook County are being affected by the requirement that customers show proof of COVID vaccination to dine in.
Matt Cox manages Pioneer Wholesale Meats. He said sales to restaurants have dropped significantly since the vaccine mandates for diners took effect.
Some diners are reluctant to visit restaurants if they are required to show proof of vaccination, he said.
Cox said sales of higher-end cuts of meat, which people tend to eat when they dine out, are especially affected.
“I definitely have noticed with our lamb, because it’s more of a higher-end product, that that’s definitely slowed down to a screeching halt. So, we are stocking our freezer a little more.”
Crain's Chicago Business reports another local distributor, Northwest Meat, has about 1,500 pounds of excess high-end meat cuts sitting in its freezer because of the drop in sales to restaurants.
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