The World Central Kitchen chef announced the creation of the FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries (FEED) Act

Chef José Andrés, along with Senators Kamala Harris and Tim Scott, and Representatives Mike Thompson, Jim McGovern and Rodney Davis announced the creation of the FEED Act, a piece of legislation that "allows the Federal government to pay 100 percent of the cost to states and localities so that they can partner with restaurants and nonprofits to prepare nutritious meals for vulnerable populations, such as seniors and underprivileged children." In a video on Twitter, Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen is one such nonprofit that has been providing these meals, says the act will ensure no part of the country "is without the ability to offer a meal to those who need it the most."

The act, the full text of which is available here, allows the Federal government to "cover 100 percent of the cost of disaster-related expenses, instead of the typical 75 percent." Some states have already considered similar aid, as food banks and grocery stores struggle to stay in stock, and as shuttered meat processing plants threaten a meat shortage. Governor Newsom of California recently announced the High Roads Kitchen program, in which independent restaurants will be given funding to provide meals to health care workers and others in need.

With many independent restaurants struggling, the FEED Act could provide another lifeline. "This bill helps utilize our restaurant industry, which has been hit hard during this pandemic, in a way that's never been done before," said Representative Rodney Davis. "By creating these partnerships between local governments and local restaurants, we can help get meals to people in need more quickly and help the food industry, which is a major employer and a critical part of our economy, during this difficult time."

Jaya Saxena, Eater, May 6, 2020

And in other news...

• The Treasury Department said it won't penalize restaurants who received PPP loans, but who can't rehire their workers because those workers don't think it's safe to return yet. [NRN]
• Nearly one in five Wendy's location is out of beef, and aren't serving any burgers or other meat-based items. [CNN]
• 58 percent of workers at a Tyson plant in Iowa have tested positive for the new coronavirus. [NBC News]
• Some jerk showed up to a San Diego grocery store in a KKK hood after the county ordered people to wear face coverings in public. [WaPo]

Voices4America Post Script. Not only do restaurants feed us/define us, they employ millions of workers, who are now dealing with hunger for themselves and their children. ChefJoséAndrés and@KamalaHarris are taking action. Share this!