Texas to allow restaurants to sell food from their own supply chain which is different from that of grocery stores

Daily Wire:

With an increasing number of businesses on “lockdown” and a growing number of people out of work as a result, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is finding some creative ways to make life easier on those most effected, individuals and businesses alike — and former Navy SEAL Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) is making sure to celebrate his home state’s “positive moves.”

In one of several COVID-19-related executive orders, Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Tuesday to “allow restaurants to sell bulk retail products from restaurant supply chain distributors directly to consumers,” a press release reads (full text below).

“Restaurants have food supply chains that don’t go through grocery stores,” Abbott explained in a tweet announcing the order. “Help keep our restaurants open [and] their employees working by using them as a source for your food needs. This waiver makes it easier for you as we all work to respond to the [coronavirus].”

Crenshaw — who has been pushing hard for quick action by the his fellow members of Congress on an emergency relief package to help mitigate the devastating economic impact of widespread mandated shutdowns of schools and businesses — cheered Abbott’s action.

“[Gov. Abbott] with another positive move that will help Texas small businesses and the hardworking people who continue to feed us during this difficult time,” the congressman tweeted Wednesday in response to Abbott’s order. “If you need food, think of a local restaurant. Help our economy in anyway you can.”
...
Abbott is also attempting to convince the federal government give more flexibility to people who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help both them and local restaurants.

“Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission sent a letter yesterday to the United States Department of Agriculture seeking permission to move forward to allow Texas Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to use their benefits at take out and drive thru restaurants throughout the state as Texas continues to combat COVID-19. If approved, it would open up another food source for 3.2 million Texans,” a press release from Abbott’s issued Wednesday reads.
...

Gov. Abbott also granted a six-month waiver to nurses with expired licenses to return to work.  His move to free up additional sources of food look like they will help fill the gap caused by the overwhelming of the retail grocers' supply chain.