Pasadena Eyes Joining “Great Plates,” State Program to Keep Local Restaurants Busy and Seniors Well-Fed

Pasadena’s City Council will discuss on Monday a recommendation from the City Manager for the City to participate in the “Great Plates Delivered” meal program for older adults, which Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in April as a first-in-the-nation program to deliver fresh meals to eligible seniors throughout California.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Little called on the city to participate in the program to help local restaurants.

Great Plates Delivered intends to help seniors who are low-income, living alone or with one other program-eligible senior, and may not be able to prepare or obtain meals.

On Monday, the City Council could decide to join the program and vote to appropriate an estimated $600,000 to fund the restaurant service and food delivery for one month.

“The purpose of the Great Plates Delivered program is to assist

older adults and adults at high risk who are unable to access meals, to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day,” according to a city staff report. “The program also provides essential economic stimulus to local businesses and generates sales tax revenue during the COVID-19 crisis.”

Local restaurants may be suffering more than any other business in the city. The Safer at Home order requires owners to close dining rooms, but they can remain open for takeout and delivery.

According to program guidelines, each local agency must fund the program but may be reimbursed through FEMA Public Assistance Program (FEMA PA) and the state.

The City said FEMA has authorized the program to operate through June 10, administered by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Cal OES plans to request two extensions. If these extensions are approved, the program will sunset on August 10.

A report by the City Manager said program costs are up to $66 per day per person for three meals, or $22 per meal, inclusive of the delivery charge. FEMA may reimburse 75 percent of the costs, the state will reimburse 18.75 percent, and the City’s share is 6.25 percent.  Administrative costs may be reimbursable but cannot exceed five percent of the cumulative cost, according to the guidelines.

Eligible seniors are those who are 65 or older, or individuals who are between 60 and 64 years old but are at high risk as defined by the CDC, including those who are COVID-19 positive, have been exposed to COVID-19, or have an underlying condition.

Those eligible must be living alone or living with one other program-eligible adult, must not be currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs such as CalFresh or Meals on Wheels, have a household income for one person not exceeding $74,940, or $101,460 for a household of two, and must affirm an inability to prepare or obtain meals.

Interested Pasadena food providers are required to apply for inclusion in the program. Selection will be evaluated based on a restaurant’s ability to meet volume, meet nutritional standards, source locally, and meet cultural needs. They also must not currently be participating in a state or federal meal service program.

For both seniors and interested businesses, an online form is accessible through www.cityofpasadena.net/great-plates.

Signing up authorizes you to receive more information about how to participate in the Great Plates Delivered Program specifically in Pasadena but does not automatically qualify you for the program, the City explained.