José Andrés, chef, restaurant owner, founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen and part of the Manna family talks about his fight to mobilize restaurant workers and feed Americans during this time of pandemic crisis.
Similar to his work in Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean and Mozambique, as well as his efforts to feed first responders during the California wildfires, Chef Andrés has once again responded to the current need by transforming his own shuttered restaurants into community kitchens.
Johanna Ramirez organized and distributed the last checks for all 105 employees who were let go from three Upper West Side restaurants. The restaurants also distributed all its remaining food supplies to its workers.Credit…Damon Winter/The New York Times
In his article for The New York Times, he implores federal officials to take action against a looming enemy, hunger in the United States. Citing action taken by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression, Chef Andrés proposes a bold new emergency relief called American Eats Now. Under this program, Food First Responders would be well-funded to meet the growing demand for food from the most vulnerable populations, the elderly, homeless and families struggling to make ends meet.
He is imploring the federal government and the private sector to step in and fund this cause, put restaurants and their workers back to work, and feed a growing number of people who will go hungry without help.
To read more about Chef Andrés’ bold new initiative, view the full article here.
