City of Cambridge to Allow Licensed Restaurants to Sell Groceries Directly to Consumers

The City of Cambridge today issued a temporary emergency order allowing restaurants to sell groceries directly to consumers during the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. The order creates a new opportunity for Cambridge residents to purchase items such as meats, vegetables, dairy, canned goods and other limited grocery items through pick-up or delivery service from local restaurants throughout the city.

“This order will help support our local restaurants and alleviate pressure on grocery stores, while also making it less stressful for Cambridge residents to find critical supplies close to home,” said Mayor Siddiqui and City Manager DePasquale in a joint statement. “We know that visits to the grocery store can be stressful for many residents, and we believe this order will increase food access to various parts of the city, reduce crowds, and help people support and stay connected to their neighborhood businesses.”

Restaurants wishing to sell groceries as part of a pick-up or delivery service must provide, and receive approval of, detailed operations and safety plans for the storage and distribution of groceries to the Cambridge Department of Inspectional Services. By the close of business on Tuesday, April 28, the City will post guidelines for restaurants seeking to participate in this temporary initiative, and the online application process will be available beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 1.

“The Central Square BID is in full support of restaurants who want to temporarily sell grocery items,” said Michael Monestime, Executive Director of the Central Square Business Improvement District.  “We believe that our businesses need every tool available to help weather this storm; we also understand that grocery shopping has become challenging and this could be a way to get food items into the homes of Cambridge residents.”

View the temporary emergency order at: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/citymanagersoffice/COVID19/Order_RestaurantGroceries_042720.pdf

The City is committed to identifying new resources to help residents and businesses navigate this difficult time. For more information and to sign up to receive updates on COVID-19, please visit the City’s dedicated information page: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19

Additional Information

• View the Mandatory Guidelines for Restaurant Sale of Groceries During COVID-19 Pandemic - April 29, 2020 (revised May 6, 2020)
• Access Online Application - April 20, 2020