Great Plates delivers $10 million in economic benefit to Sacramento
Randy Stannard & Sarah McCamman at Root 64 Farms.
The Great Plates program, launched on May 14, reached a significant milestone Monday: more than 431,000 meals delivered to seniors and $10 million in economic impact to Sacramento.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State of California are providing 94 percent of the money to run the program. The City’s CARES Act funding provides the matching 6 percent. For a detailed breakdown of the program check the City’s dashboard.
“Each weekday, 1,050 seniors are receiving three nutritious meals from our restaurants and a wellness check as they stay safe at home,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for our ability to continue this program, investing millions into our economy while protecting our most vulnerable residents from exposure to COVID-19.”
The program has provided a source of income during the Covid-19 pandemic for Sacramento restaurants, local farms, delivery drivers and operations staff at Paratransit and United Cerebral Palsy, and WCP Solutions, a local box manufacturer in the River District that has provide the meal kit containers.
Participating local growers:
Next Generation Foods
Fiddler's Green Farm
Guru Ram Das Orchards
Sun Tracker Farm
Pandora Blueberries
Good Humus Produce
Full Belly Farm
Riverdog Farm
Durst Organic Growers
Terra Firma Farm
Capay Mills
Root 64
“Families across Sacramento are struggling due to the far-reaching impacts of the pandemic. Providing fresh, local food to families in need is one of the most important things we can do during crisis; it also puts money back into the hands of local farmers, strengthening our local economy when it’s needed most.”
“Great Plates Delivered has saved hundreds of jobs and purchased tons of crops from local farms to deliver to our restaurants. This program is a shining example during a difficult time of what happens when we all work together, as Sacramento and California always do.”
