State Program Puts Food Industry Back to Work, Sources from Local Farms to Feed Seniors in Need

Last week, Governor Newsom announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation “Great Plates Delivered” program, a state-funded meal delivery service with two goals: 1) help seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, and 2) provide essential economic stimulus to food businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. The program is currently funded to continue through June 10. 

But while this program is certainly aimed at supporting food industry workers and restaurants, the program guidance identifies local sourcing as a consideration to assist California’s farmers who have also been hard hit. CAFF has been advocating in Sacramento to make sure this program provides a much-needed opportunity for our family farmers.

But they need to hear from you! 

If you’re looking for new sales outlets and want to participate in this program, fill out this simple online form*. By letting the state know that you have locally-grown products ready to sell into this program, you increase the likelihood of this program coming to your community, opening up funds for the local food industry, including farms like yours. 

* The form is a little clumsy for farmers since it was initially created for restaurants to indicate their interest. Please do your best. The goal is to ensure you signal your desire to participate so you can be contacted.

And lastly, since local governments are deciding whether to set up a Great Plates Delivered program, if you have any relationships with your county supervisor, city council member or mayor, now is the time to urge them to bring this program to your community and to support local restaurants, farms and food industry workers during this crisis.

LOCAL PROGRAMS:

Below are updates on local Great Plates Delivered programs. We will continue to update this blog with additional local programs as they come online:

 

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