PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has extended the Great Plates Delivered Program, a free meal delivery service for eligible older adults impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, until August 9, 2020. This news comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which funds the program, authorized the extension for California counties and cities.

“We look forward to continuing to provide free meals for older adults while supporting local restaurants,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are grateful to our State partners and FEMA for providing us the funding to continue this program.”

Great Plates Delivered began in Long Beach on June 9 and has since provided more than 27,300 meals to over 340 older adults impacted by the health crisis. The program also has generated a local economic impact of more than $400,000 since its inception, with the participation of 16 Long Beach-based restaurants and food providers preparing the distributed meals. Local food providers were awarded contracts with the City through a bidding process in May, and include representations from various ethnic cuisines that reflect the culture of the Long Beach community.

Gov. Gavin Newsom first announced the program in April as a partnership with counties, cities and tribes in an effort to keep the elder population healthy and at home while also providing essential economic stimulus to local businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis.

Qualifying older adults can still participate in the program by submitting an online application by visiting longbeach.gov/seniormealdelivery, calling (562) 570-INFO (4636) and select option number 5 or emailing GreatPlatesLB@longbeach.gov.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit: longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.