Groceries stores are busier than ever in New Orleans, while the restaurant business has been dramatically restricted by efforts to fight coronavirus.

In New Orleans now, one is lending a hand to the other.

Rouses Markets on Friday began a test run for a new program to sell dishes from local restaurants at its grocery stores, with proceeds going back to the restaurants.

It starts with popular menu items from two restaurants, Commander’s Palace and Saba, which are now for sale at its downtown store (701 Baronne St.). Customers will find turtle soup and grillades and grits from Commander’s Palace and hummus and pita from Saba in the store’s deli section.

Rouses plans to expand the program with more restaurants at other stores in the days ahead.

Brigtsen’s Restaurant will begin selling prepared dishes at the Uptown Rouses Market (4500 Tchoupitoulas St.), and bread from Bywater Bakery will soon be available at two New Orleans stores (locations to be announced).

In Thibodaux, local restaurant Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse is selling dishes (including fried catfish on Friday for Lent) at the the Rouses there (204 North Canal Blvd.).

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“We are one food community, and much as we can, we will support each other during these difficult times,” said Rouses Market CEO Donny Rouse.

On Sunday, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a "stay at home order," telling residents to leave home only for essential services. Groceries are considered an essential service, and restaurants can continue to operate on for take-out, drive-thru and delivery service.

Many other types of businesses, including bars, have been ordered closed. It’s part of a strategy to limit contact between people and the potential spread of the coronavirus – a tactic called social distancing.

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The impact for the restaurant business has been stark, with massive layoffs across the industry.

Rouses program essentially sets up another sales outlet for restaurants to get some revenue and keep some staff working.

At the participating stores, customers will find the prepared dishes in the deli section. They pay for them at check out like any other item, and Rouses distributes the money back to the restaurants.

The grocery chain also announced that is adding staff and wants to hire people temporarily out of work from the hospitality industry.

Note: this story was updated with information about the state's stay-at-home order.

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