Program providing meals to seniors launching in Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Monterey County announced that it will be launching the Great Plates Delivered program.
The county will partner with area restaurants and food providers to deliver three meals a day to adults aged 65 and older and adults aged 60 to 64 who are at high-risk from COVID-19.
The program is also intended to help the restaurants and providers struggling as a result of the pandemic.
Food providers can sign up to participate here, but they must meet certain criteria, such as:
- Environmental health compliance
- Valid business permits
- Certificate of insurance
- Ability to meet volume and nutritional standards
- Ability to source local produce and meats
- Provide local jobs and worker retention
- Location in low-income neighborhoods
- Business size
- Ability to meet cultural needs
- Location throughout the county area.
Businesses already participating in state or federal meal service programs are not eligible to participate.
To be eligible to receive meals, residents must fall under this criteria:
- Residents who are 65 or older, or 60 to 64 and at high-risk, including those who are COVID-19 positive, have been exposed to COVID-19 or have an underlying medical condition.
- Residents living alone or with one other program-eligible adult.
- Residents not receiving help from state or federal nutrition assistance programs, such as CalFresh or Meals on Wheels.
- Residents unable to prepare or obtain meals.
The county said a date to begin delivery will be announced soon, and the program is expected to run through June 10, unless it is extended.
Those who would like to receive meals can call 211 for screening and to begin the application process.
The Great Plates Delivered program was first announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on April 24.
Santa Cruz County is also participating in the program, and in Seaside, Angelina's Bakery and Googie's Grill will be delivering 22 residents who have met the criteria and are in the program.
