California announces massive meal delivery program for seniors

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced Friday that the state is launching a program to support seniors facing food insecurity and revitalize the restaurant industry, calling it the first of its kind.

The program goes into effect immediately and will reimburse local restaurants for delivering nutritious meals to at-risk seniors in California, three times a day, seven days a week. 

NEW: CA has launched a first-in-the-nation program–

Restaurants Deliver will allow local restaurants to provide meals for older Californians. 3 meals a day–at no cost.

This will help provide jobs to local businesses and aid those in need.

Learn more:https://t.co/e82f36Abzd.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 24, 2020

Only seniors who are at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus, have already been affected or exposed directly, have compromised immune systems or are below federal poverty guidelines qualify. Of the 5.7 million seniors in California, 1.7 million live alone, Newsom said.

Participating restaurants will be reimbursed up to $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $28 for dinner deliveries. Newsom said the funds will primarily come from the state and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, though local governments also will contribute a share. 

Newsom said the program is meant to simultaneously support seniors, boost the local restaurant industry and generate local sales tax revenue.

The governor also announced that another 93 people died of coronavirus since Thursday, bringing the state’s total death toll to more than 1,500. On Thursday, California saw its deadliest day since the start of the pandemic: 115 deaths since the day before. 

As of Friday afternoon, 39,254 people have tested positive for coronavirus and 1,562 deaths have been reported.