Restaurant Resiliency Program
Open to Vallejo, Fairfield, and Suisun City restaurants, serving locals in need
The Restaurant Resiliency Program of Solano County began in the summer of 2021, utilizing $100,000 of seed funding from Wells Fargo Bank to partner with area restaurants, caterers, and food trucks to provide hot meals once a week to low-income families and the homeless in Vallejo and Fairfield.
Administered by the Solano-Napa SBDC and the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, the initial $100,000 in funding provided 3,200 meals over a 20-week period that were distributed by partners at Vallejo’s Fighting Back Partnership and Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s Family Resource Program. The program also gave small restaurants in Fairfield and Vallejo that were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic a financial boost when they needed it most.
The Restaurant Resiliency Program has been extended into 2023 thanks to the financial support of the City of Vallejo, the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, and the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs. Fighting Back Partnership and Fairfield-Suisun’s Family Resource Center will once again be distribution partners.
The hot meals will be prepared weekly by restaurants, caterers, and food truck operators in the cities of Vallejo, Fairfield and Suisun City. Restaurants will be reimbursed $25 for every meal prepared. Meals are required to be hot food, with a meat/protein entrée, a fruit and/or vegetable, and a beverage.
“Supporting our hardest hit small local restaurants in keeping their doors open and retaining jobs, while also addressing the regional crisis of food insecurity, gives us great hope as we rebuild and recover together.”
Erica Trejo, Wells FArgo senior vice-president of social impact and sustainability
Any restaurant in Vallejo, Fairfield, and Suisun City that can provide a pre-packaged hot meal is eligible to participate and invited to complete the online interest form. Please note, priority will be given to restaurants with 15 or less employees. Caterers participating in the program must have a commercial kitchen to prepare their meals.
For additional information, contact:
Brianna Boyd at the Solano-Napa SBDC
Phone: 707-646-1071
Email: bboyd@solanowdb.org
Note: The application window is OPEN for restaurants in Fairfield/Suisun City
Restaurant Resiliency FAQs
Where is the funding from for this program?
Funding for the second round of the Restaurant Resiliency Program is from Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, the City of Vallejo, and Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs.
Who is eligible to serve the dinners?
Any restaurant, caterer, or food truck in Vallejo, Fairfield or Suisun City can serve meals through their respective city programs. Caterers must have a commercial kitchen to prepare their meals.
Can I participate in this program if my restaurant is in a city other than Vallejo, Fairfield or Suisun City?
At this time, only restaurants in Vallejo, Fairfield and Suisun City can take part in the Restaurant Resiliency Program
Why were these cities selected?
Vallejo and Fairfield were initially selected because they are the two largest communities in Solano County. Funding from the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District has allowed us to expand into Suisun City. If additional funding becomes available, expansion into other Solano County cities is possible.
I am a caterer with a home-based business in Fairfield. Am I eligible to participate in the Fairfield program?
Yes, any caterer with access to a commercial kitchen can participate as long as their business address is in Fairfield or Suisun City (for the Fairfield-Suisun program) or Vallejo (for the Vallejo program).
How many meals will each restaurant prepare?
Most of our participating restaurants will prepare between 30 and 50 meals on their assigned distribution day.
Will I know my distribution night in advance?
Yes, we will communicate with all of our participating restaurants weeks in advance of your food distribution date. You will have an assigned point of contact for any questions you may have.
What are the meals required to include?
All meals must be pre-packaged by the restaurant and include a hot entrée, fruit and/or vegetable, and a beverage, such as a bottle of water.
What are the requirements for packaging?
Any secure, to-go container that you would normally use in your restaurant is acceptable.
Are the restaurants responsible for distributing or serving the meals?
No. Restaurants will deliver the packaged meals to an assigned location and the meals will be distributed or served to families and citizens by community partners.
How will my restaurant be paid?
All participating restaurants will receive $25 for every meal prepared. Restaurants will submit their invoices to the Workforce Development Board of Solano County and a check will be issued.
