NEW ORLEANS – On Monday, the City of New Orleans announced the mobilization of the Mass Feeding Program, a cost-sharing collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency totaling $18 million to fulfill a basic human need as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This first-of-its-kind program will provide meals to a range of vulnerable residents, including high-risk health adults, residents with special medical needs, homeless residents, homebound seniors, and families with children 18 and under who are not receiving other federally supported food assistance.

“This program is an unprecedented response to the coronavirus pandemic — the first of its kind in our country — and will enable us to serve those in need right where they live,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “I want to thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their partnership on this effort.”

The program is being administered by the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP).

“This will not only benefit our most vulnerable populations, but it also will simultaneously be an opportunity for our restaurants to continue in their recovery,” said Collin Arnold, Director, NOHSEP.

Once the program begins, it will provide about 1.8 million prepared hot meals per month as the City continues to move through the various phases of our emergency period.

Information for residents who need to access the meal program will be made available once a vendor is selected.

Residents can find the RFP by visiting https://nola.gov/purchasing/. The RFP is #624.