Riverside County is looking for restaurants in Hemet, San Jacinto, Perris, Banning, Beaumont, and the surrounding areas to take part in the "Great Plates Delivered" program aimed at providing meals for at-risk seniors quarantining at home to avoid exposure to coronavirus.
Restaurants that participate will need to deliver three meals a day, seven days a week to citizens 65 and older, and in return, receive up to $66 ($16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch, $28 for dinner, and $5 for incidentals) from the county through at least June 10th (the program could possibly be extended). Lunches and dinners should include a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable. Drinks must be less than 24 calories per 8oz and made of 100 percent fruit juice.
"This program is a win-win for everyone involved," noted Jewel Lee, director of the Riverside County Office on Aging, in a press release. "The seniors are able to access healthy meals while remaining safe at home, and local restaurants are able to earn money during this difficult financial times."
Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez shared that Norma's Italian Kitchen in Rancho Mirage was the first restaurant in Riverside County to sign up for the program. "The operation at Norma's Italian Kitchen is inspiring and shows that this program is helping to save jobs and provide exceptional service to seniors in our community."
Participating restaurants must be in good standing with the Environmental Health Restaurant Grade and become a vendor with the County of Riverside. Restaurants are encouraged to provide their own delivery, allowing the business to keep more of the funds in-house and better coordinate delivery to customers, although they may choose to use food delivery programs like Grubhub, Postmates, DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc. Delivery drivers must pass a background check at the restaurant's expense.
More information can be found here.
