Sacramento launches ‘Great Plates’ program to feed seniors, help restaurants

Restaurant owners can make up to $12,000 per week with the program, but it’s unclear when they’ll be paid for their services.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — During a Zoom press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Darrell Steinberg announced the launch of the Great Plates feeding program for Sacramento seniors.

Thirty restaurants are participating, and Zion Taddese owner of Queen Sheba is one of them.

"Fifty meals, every other day," Taddese explained. "So we will be doing breakfast lunch and dinner every day."

Business owners will receive $60 per meal kit, which means a restaurant like Taddese’s will make $9,000 if they participate three days a week and up to $12,000 if they make food four days a week.

The state began rolling out its own Great Plates program on Wednesday, fleshing out the website for restaurants who express interest in participating.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the program on April 24, but it’s unclear when the initiative will launch statewide.

For Sacramento’s program, there is no word on when the city will cut checks to participating restaurants, explained Julia Burrows, Senior Policy Consultant to Mayor Steinberg.

Burrows said that the city will receive 75% reimbursement from FEMA to pay restaurants owners with half up front to help with cash flow.

"We are working with state [Office of Emergency Services]. FEMA is going to expedite 50% of the 75% with in 10 days," Burrows said…

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