PRESS RELEASE

Updates:

• 6/14/20 - The Great Plates program has been extended through July 10.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach today announced the launch of a free home meal delivery service for older adults, with meals supplied by Long Beach food providers and restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Newsom announced the first-in-the-nation program in April as a partnership with counties, cities, and tribes in an effort to keep the most vulnerable population healthy and at home.

“We continue to work hard to support our older adults during this public health crisis," said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are thankful to Governor Newsom and FEMA for recognizing this critical need and for making this program possible.”

The Great Plates Delivered Program will deliver up to three free, nutritious meals daily to up to 600 qualified older adults. Food providers will be required to ensure proper food safety guidelines, and delivery services and individuals will be subject to background checks. Meals will be transported safely to participants each day and can be easily stored or freezed for a few days and reheated.

Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Live in the City of Long Beach 
• Meet age requirements:
• Are 65 or older; or
• Are 60-64 and have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk as defined by the CDC
• Live alone or with one other program-eligible adult
• Are not currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs
• Have difficulty accessing food or preparing your own meals
• Income must fall within the following income range:
• $24,980 and $74,940 (single) or between
•  $33,821 and $101,460 (two-person household) a year

To apply, eligible residents must complete the online application by visiting LongBeach.gov/seniormealdelivery or call (562) 570-INFO (4636) and select option number 5. Questions can be directed to the same telephone number, or via email at GreatPlatesLB@longbeach.gov. Operators will respond to messages left at the number and translators will be available if needed.

The Great Plates Delivered program will run through June 10, 2020, which is the timeframe currently approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The state intends on requesting an extension for the program into July.

The meals are prepared by a variety of Long Beach food providers who were awarded contracts with the City through a bidding process earlier this month Participating food providers include: 

• 5000 Pies 
• Bahn Thai Restaurant 
• Bebot Filipino Soul Food 
• Egg Heaven Cafe 
• El Paisa Restaurant 
• Hamburger Mary’s Long Beach 
• La Guanaquita Restaurant
• Michael’s Pizzeria Downtown
• ONell’s Comfort Kitchen 
• Pier 76 
• Restauration 
• Starling Diner 
• Taboon Mediterranean
• TGIS Catering Services 
• The 908
• The Little Brass Café Express

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