Worker shortage threatens the food industry

Randy Larson has owned Monica’s, an upscale, Italian American restaurant on the Coralville strip, for nearly 30 years. Viewed as a community staple, Monica’s never needed to advertise job openings or worry about workforce retention.

But ever since the restaurant employee exodus following COVID-19, Mr. Larson has been forced to rip up the old playbook — along with countless other restaurants in the Corridor.

“That’s just the times right now,”…