Welcome to our March edition of the Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association newsletter! We're excited to bring you a selection of opportunities and events designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Inside this issue, you'll find exclusive information on upcoming events, details on grant opportunities that could support your business, and much more!

 

Dear Participants and Photography Enthusiasts,

 

Thank you for staying tuned for the 2025 Taste of Asia Photo Contest! To better prepare for the contest and ensure that participants have ample time to create their submissions, we have made some adjustments to the timeline and rules. Below are the updates:

 

The contest is divided into the following three themes. Participants may choose to submit entries based on their interests: 

 

Each theme has a unique submission link. Please choose the correct link by scanning the QR code on the graphic above:

For further details, please contact us via: 

 

We Encourage Everyone to Participate, and we look forward to your amazing submissions and to showcasing the unique charm of Asian cuisine and culture together! Good luck!

 

2025 Taste of Asia Photo Contest Organizing Committee

For those active MARA members intending to go to this event, please reach out to MARA (info@ma-ara.org) to obtain the promo code.  All are encouraged to go.

The New England Restaurant & Bar Show is the region’s premier event for restaurant owners, bar operators, chefs, hospitality professionals, and industry suppliers. This event brings together top foodservice experts, vendors, and emerging trends to help businesses thrive in the evolving hospitality landscape.

 

Attend the Show
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, bar operator, or hospitality professional, this event is designed to provide insights, resources, and connections to help your business grow. Registration includes access to all exhibits, seminars, and networking events.

 

Register as a Vendor
Showcase your products and services to thousands of decision-makers in the food and beverage industry. As an exhibitor, you’ll gain direct access to potential buyers, increase brand visibility, and connect with key industry influencers. Booth spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended.

Save the date! Boston Asian Restaurant Week will officially be happening May 2-11th this year. All restaurant owners are encouraged to participate! 

ICE Raids can happen to businesses where there is the suspicion of certain immigration law violations. To help employers handle the situation in case of an ICE Raid, we've summarized the main points of guidelines provided by Nutter McClennen & Fish Law Firm, as below:

 

Pre-Raid Preparation:
Employers are advised to develop and rehearse a specific protocol for an ICE raid, designate a single point of contact to communicate with ICE agents, and provide training on employee rights (such as the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel) and appropriate responses if approached by ICE.

 

During the Raid:
The advisory recommends that employers immediately contact their legal counsel and, if possible, have the attorney present during the raid. It is advised that a company representative accompany ICE agents to document their actions, that private or restricted areas not be accessed without a valid judicial warrant, and that any warrant presented be carefully verified for legitimacy and scope.

 

Employee Guidelines:
Employees should be instructed to remain calm and avoid fleeing. They are informed that while they may choose whether to speak with ICE, they also have the right to remain silent and request an attorney.

 

Post-Raid Actions:
Employers are encouraged to obtain and retain copies of any inventories or documents detailing seized items, preserve any surveillance footage from the incident, and document all details of the raid—such as the number of agents present, their conduct, and any deviations from the warrant.

 

The 119th Congress has now been sworn in and our efforts to pass the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) at the Federal level will continue. While the legislation has not yet been re-introduced by the National Restaurant Association, we are continuing to build a broad base of support for the CCCA from all 50 states. The issue continues to gain traction in the media, especially on the heels of Visa’s estimated $100 million increase in swipe fees effective January 1st.

 

You may recall that the Coalition has sent a few support letters in the past signed by businesses operating within the state and have been told by Congressional offices that those letters are one of the most compelling demonstrations of support they’ve received on CCCA. As such, we urge you to sign on to this letter by clicking on this link: Company Support for the Credit Card Competition Act.

 

It’s a simple process of listing your company name and the state in which your company operates so that we have signatories ready to go when we send additional state-specific letters to Senators urging their support for the bill. 

MARA has partnered with Potencia to offer affordable, one-on-one English tutoring sessions tailored for adult immigrants. These 10-week online programs provide personalized learning, real-life conversation practice, and flexible schedules. At just $5 per session ($50 for 10 sessions), participants receive 1-hour individual lessons with an additional discount available for MARA members.

 

Interested individuals can apply online below or text (617) 580-0176 for more details. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve English skills in a supportive, affordable environment!

ElevAsian’s 6th Cohort is now accepting applications for its 2025 program, designed for underserved business owners looking to expand their knowledge, access capital, and grow their network.

 

Program Start: May 22, 2025
Application Deadline: May 8, 2025
Seats Available: 15

Filing your taxes can be confusing and scary! AACA's VITA Clinic provides free income tax assistance to individuals and families with a household income of less than $70,000 a year 

 

To make an appointment or ask questions: 
Phone: 617-426-9492 ext. 285
Email: vita@aaca-boston.org

 

Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 

10 am to 4 pm

 

87 Tyler Street, Boston MA 0211

Grant & Program Opportunities

(Rolling Deadline) Amber Grant - Women's Net gives away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they've also expanded their grant-giving to include Marketing Grants, Business Category Grants, as well as two $25,000 Year End Grants.

 

(Rolling Deadline) Free LLC Formation for Moms - Zenbusiness is giving every mom in America the ability to start an LLC for free, plus the cost of your state fee.  

Founded in 2018, Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA) is a non-profit corpo­ration registered at Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It formed a partnership with Massachu­setts Restaurant Association (MRA) in 2020. MARA provides Asian restaurant businesses the resources and guidance needed to advance in the industry. MARA is a platform connecting Asian restaurant members with professional service providers as well as relevant governmental entities to enhance the communication collaboration and mutual benefits. Visit ma-ara.org to join or learn more.