Hospo 2021: Key Dates and Holidays for Foodservice
As usual, the first half of the year as flown by, and it’s been a busy one, so you’d be forgiven for not having thought about what is still to come. With a bunch of national holidays, annual events and charity initiatives on the horizon we thought that you might appreciate a little hand keeping up. Here’s our guide to what’s going on for the second half of the year in foodservice:
July
The Dry July Foundation encourages people to go alcohol-free throughout the month of July. If you’re serving booze, consider what alcohol-free beverages you have to offer those going sober.
International Day of Friendship (30th)
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2011, this is a day for unity and togetherness. Encourage your customers to bring their mates to your venue to celebrate!
August
Bank Holiday NSW (2nd)
New South Wales gets to enjoy a day off on the second. Will you be staying open to welcome patrons?
Picnic Day NT (2nd)
Why not put together a picnic hamper for your local customers to enjoy on their day off?
Royal Queensland Show (11th)
Brisbane residents get the day off to enjoy the annual Royal Queensland Show. It is also known as Ekka People’s Day and Brisbane Show Day.
Don’t get left behind when this international celebration rolls around. Do something special for your lefties and have some fun watching people try to prove it!
Seniors Week is an opportunity for Queenslanders of all ages to join together and celebrate the valuable contribution of older people.
One of the Cancer Council’s most loved fundraising events! Get behind this initiative and help grow hope for those affected by cancer in Australia.
September
If you’re an inner-city café or restaurant, expect the foot traffic to be a little heavier on this day. Now in its 23rd year, Walk to Work Day helps employers and employees build regular walking into their daily routine and, at the same time, support a worthwhile cause.
Father’s Day (5th)
Father’s day is always a great opportunity for foodservice businesses, with people keen to treat Dad to a day out.
International Talk Like A Pirate Day (19th)
Yep, you read that right! Dust off your pirate’s outfit from last year’s staff party and have some fun for a worthy cause!
Grand Final Eve VIC (24th)
It’s always a busy day for foodservice venues, as the AFL diehards prepare excitedly for their biggest day of the year!
October
International Coffee Day (1st)
Café owners will want to mark this one down! Apart from recognising the enjoyment of coffee right around the globe, World Coffee Day is also used to promote fair trade coffee and to raise awareness for the plight of the coffee growers.
A day for the ever-growing population of vegetarians. If you were thinking of adding a couple of extra vege options to your menu, then this would be the day to do it!
Much like ‘Walk to Work Day’, this nationwide initiative should help increase foot traffic in your area. This program promotes physical activity, health and wellness.
People love their pets, which is why more and more venues are encouraging dog owners to bring their furry friends along for their dining experience. Dogtober could be the perfect opportunity for you to tap into the canine market.
Melbourne Cup VIC (2nd)
Australia’s biggest horse race returns and is sure to be a big boost for the foodservice sector in Victoria!
Something hospo workers should have no problem with after smiling for customers so much!
Labour Day ACT/NSW/SA (4th)
Three states get their turn for Labour Day! Expect a spike in foot traffic if you decide to remain open.
Queen’s Bday QLD (4th)
Queensland celebrates the Queen’s birthday on the 4th (how is it that she has so many birthdays?).
Mental Health Week is an annual national awareness event held in October every year. Remember the mental health and wellbeing of your friends, family, colleagues and customers during this time.
Another day where foodservice professionals can show a bit of character and have some fun. Odd socks day is a light-hearted approach to reminding people that anyone can have an odd day.
National Nutrition Week (11th-17th)
National Nutrition Week encourages Australians to learn about making healthy food and lifestyle choices. This is an awesome opportunity to highlight some of your healthier options on your menu (or maybe add something new!).
What day could be more relevant to foodservice than ‘World food Day.’ This day is a reminder that everybody deserves and needs access to food, particularly those who can’t keep up with rising food prices. You should keep this in mind at all times, but especially on October 16th.
We’ve all got that one shirt that we love, but it’s maybe too wild for everyday wear. Well, Loud Shirt Day could be the perfect excuse for you give it a trail run! Plus, it’s for a great cause.
Do you miss being a kid? Yeah, us too. Children’s Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities. Do something special on your kids’ menu to mark the occasion.
November
Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. We’re expecting to see a few more ‘staches in the kitchen come this time of year!
Diwali (4th)
Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated by Hindu, Jain and Sikh religions.
Let’s face it, there isn’t always an abundance of options on the menu for vegan diners. Make sure you give them something to cheer about when this day rolls around.
For the six weeks in the lead-up to Christmas, StreetSmart partners with restaurants to ask diners to make a small donation to StreetSmart on their bill. It’s a simple idea that adds up to a big impact on the lives of people who are homeless.
December
Although this day shouldn’t affect the most hospo workers, we included it as a warning to any venues located next to a bike path.
Christmas Day (25th)
Don’t forget to order your Plum Pudding Portions! A Christmas delight every year.
Boxing Day (26th)
A crazy day for anyone working in the mall. We hope that your customers are still keen to come and dine following what’s sure to be a festive feast.