Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy
sponse , which has resulted in local government and networks of FAPs bearing the burden of addressing food insecurity in their communities . Faced with an unstable food supply chain and an enormous increase in food insecurity , local governments , communities , and FAPs have gotten creative in devising ways of maintaining food distribution . Two actions that local jurisdictions have deployed are the pop-up distribution of prepared meals and enhancing the network ’ s supply of shelf-stable food .
A challenge created by COVID-19 has been the need to distribute meals to individuals quarantined in their homes who are physically unable go to a location to pick up food or are financially unable to order food to their homes . To address this challenge , several jurisdictions have created entirely new food provision services and systems . One example is New York City ’ s new GetFoodNYC Emergency Home Food Delivery program . The program helps residents who are unable to go outside on their own because they are homebound or at increased medical risk , have no one who can help them get food such as neighbors or nearby family , do not receive assistance with meals from other providers , or are not able to afford the cost of delivery from local restaurants or grocery stores as a result of the pandemic ( NYC311 , n . d .). Eligible residents can get prepared meals delivered to their house . A delivery contains nine meals per person , but no more than 18 meals per delivery per household ( City of New York , n . d .).
Washington , D . C . currently runs a similar program called GetHelpDC ( Government of the District of Columbia , n . d .). In addition to food , the program offers eligible recipients other necessary supplies , such as hygiene products . In Montgomery County , Maryland , the COVID-19 Food Security Task Force has supplied prepared meals to eight senior buildings in the county , so that individuals in those buildings do not have to risk venturing out for groceries or meals . This is a very limited sample of the feeding programs and disaster partnerships that have sprung up across the country to meet the increased local need . 1
To respond quickly , to source food from a ready supply , and to support local businesses , these programs in New York City , Washington , D . C ., and Montgomery County , Maryland , purchase prepared meals from local restaurants and caterers . There are challenges associated with serving prepared meals . Prepared meals often do not account for peoples ’ palates , cultural sensitivities , or health restrictions such as allergies . Giving a set menu deprives them of making their own choices in food consumption , or worse , leaves them hungry if they are unable or unwilling to eat the meals provided . Additionally , while prepared-meal delivery provides immediate relief to a food-insecure individual or family , many food-insecure individuals not experiencing immediate illness prefer preparing meals at home rather
1 The authors of this article have been supporting the COVID-19 food security efforts of Montgomery County , Maryland , since March 2020 . References to Montgomery County , Maryland ’ s efforts are drawn , in part , from first-hand experience and information obtained through that work .
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