Kristi Thien and the staff and volunteers at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels paced nervously in the parking lot.Would anyone come for hot meals, the first since the pandemic began?Senior Life Resources Northwest, which runs Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, was about to pass out hot meals to seniors in a drive-thru...

Food and agriculture lay claim to many segments of the economy of the greater Tri-Cities.The area’s fields, orchards, vineyards and animal husbandry operations yield a cornucopia of products. While a good portion of these products is shipped beyond county lines, much is sent to facilities here to process the bounty....

The store may include “restaurant” in its name, but Western Restaurant Supply & Design also is hoping to serve home chefs at its new 10,000-square-foot Richland showroom.“If you’re looking for a $15 knife, I got those, or if you want a $400 knife, I got those, too. We’re always looking...

Three generations of Erstad family worked at Burger Factory before owning itRhonda Erstad grew up in Connell. So did her husband, Mike.They’ve lived in the Connell area pretty much their whole lives, and Rhonda wouldn’t have it any other way.“I love Connell,” she said. “Our kids always had someone looking...

By Marilou SheaIn a recent column, I waxed poetic about how lovage, among other uncommon herbs, is trending as a culinary darling these days. I’ve just done a deep dive into lovage—which sounds like “luggage”—and it’s a pretty, cool herb, and while it won’t shake the shingles off your roof,...

Pamela Montgomery,Founder and CEO of Chukar CherriesNumber of employees you oversee: Chukar employs more than 50 team members total, but I work directly with three individuals on marketing and branding and with two company executives on business planning and growth strategy. Brief background of your business and its origins: In the mid-80s our...

By Marilou SheaIf you’re looking for flavors like bobcats, scorpions and goats, look no further than Harris Produce in Pasco. An institution of freshness, Harris’ all-natural produce has offered items like the bobcat varietal of tomatoes, scorpion varietal of super-hot peppers and goats, as in just goats, for the past...

What do you get when you cross apple cider brews with an open pit barbeque? A new dining experience at d’s Wicked Cider House & Tasting Room in Kennewick, that’s what.Located at 9312 W. 10th Ave., d’s Wicked Cider recently introduced a full-scale restaurant menu to its offerings, providing visitors...

Columbia Basin College will launch a hospitality training program in January to better prepare workers to join the ranks of more than 6,000 people who work in the growing industry in Benton and Franklin counties.The new program was created in direct response to the increased demand for skilled restaurant and...

About 20 eateries participating in Uber’s meal-delivery programWant to enjoy food from a favorite Tri-City restaurant without having to leave the house?Request delivery from UberEats, a standalone meal courier service now offered by the popular ride-share service Uber.The new meal service comes eight months after Uber debuted in Kennewick last...