The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a severe food crisis in Santa Clara County and throughout the Bay Area. To support residents through these challenging times, non-profit organizations, food banks, and local authorities collaborated to implement a program providing grocery food trucks and free meals.
Food Trucks – An Urgent Solution for Residents
Off the Grid, a Bay Area food and truck service company, partnered with the City of San Jose to launch the “San Jose COVID Food Relief Program.” Thanks to $2.3 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grocery delivery and $622,400 for meal provision, the program effectively supported residents impacted by the pandemic.
From September 22, 2020, to October 30, 2020, the program provided free grocery packages containing local produce, whole grains, protein, and prepared meals. Suresh Khanna, CEO of Off the Grid, stated that the program timely delivered clean, organic, and fresh food to the community.
Eligibility and Real-World Situation
San Jose residents impacted by COVID-19 through job or business disruption were eligible to participate. Seniors aged 65 and older and individuals with underlying health conditions were also prioritized.
According to Ashleigh Bilodeaux, Marketing Director of Off the Grid, approximately 70% of applicants were eligible, with hundreds of registrations daily and thousands on the waiting list. The majority of participants received groceries weekly.
Multi-Party Collaboration to Expand Support
Off the Grid also partnered with food providers like Waffle Roost, a San Jose food truck company, to provide prepared meals for the homeless or those unable to cook for themselves. Waffle Roost owner Justin Funamura mentioned this was a business opportunity that also helped the community.
The demand for food assistance in Santa Clara County has surged since March 2020. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, an organization independent of the San Jose COVID Food Relief Program, reported a staggering 970% increase in calls to its food connection hotline in April compared to February.
Long-Term Food Needs
Tracy Weatherby, Vice President of Strategy and Advocacy at Second Harvest, stated they are currently serving double the number of people compared to pre-pandemic levels, exceeding half a million individuals monthly. The economic crisis caused by the pandemic is projected to be prolonged, keeping the demand for food assistance high.
Additionally, Off the Grid collaborated with local farms like Spade & Plough in San Martin to supply fresh produce for the program. Sam Thorpe, owner of Spade & Plough, emphasized the importance of supporting the community and sustaining local agriculture. The relief program not only assisted residents but also enabled farms to maintain operations and employ workers.
Conclusion
The food truck program in San Jose is a commendable effort in supporting the community through the hardships of the pandemic. The collaboration between organizations, businesses, and government agencies has delivered essential food resources to residents, contributing to easing economic burdens and ensuring social welfare. For more information about the San Jose COVID Food Relief Program, please visit the Off the Grid website or call 408-351-8238. Second Harvest food connection hotline: 1-800-984-3663.
