MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County has introduced the Great Plates Delivered food program to help seniors who are vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to support local restaurants.
“This particular program has two purposes,” said Diana Jimenez, deputy director of the Monterey County Department of Social Services. “One is to help seniors and other adults at high risk of Covid-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering them three nutritious meals a day. The second goal is to provide an essential economic stimulus to local businesses struggling to stay afloat during the Covid-19 crisis.”
As of June 1, the county has 101 participants, including eight in South Monterey County, enrolled and eligible for meals in the program.
Of the 25 businesses that submitted an application, six have been chosen to provide meals. In South Monterey County, the two restaurants selected were Linda’s Taqueria in Gonzales and The Cork & Plough in King City.
After contacting the county to be chosen for the program, participants are assigned a restaurant to serve them by delivering three meals each day. Seniors in need can contact the county to sign up by dialing 2-1-1.
“We looked at geographically where the participants were spread out and ensured that we had restaurants selected in all the geographic areas,” Jimenez said. “We have a restaurant in Salinas, Prunedale, Gonzales, King City, Monterey and Marina.”
The program began delivering meals last week. While Great Plates was scheduled to last through June 10, it is expected to be extended.
“If we have an expansion of Great Plates Delivered participants that qualify for the program, then that will enable us to help a few more restaurants,” Jimenez said. “Right now with only 101 participants, we are only able to assist six restaurants.”
