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Chef José Andrés Feeds Florence Evacuees

Many residents in The Carolinas can't get to their homes, and can't cook their own meals (Ryan Johnson/Flickr Creative Commons)

In the wake of Hurricane Florence, many people do not have access to cooking equipment. So the USDA has changed its rules for food stamp recipients in North Carolina to allow them to use their benefits cards for hot and prepared meals.

But retailers may take up to 36 hours to accept the change, and some are only taking cash.

So, chef José Andrés has stepped in to fill the gap. This week, he headed to North Carolina with his non-profit, the World Central Kitchen, and a backup generator. They're making Salisbury steak with mushrooms, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and fresh squash salad for evacuees in Raleigh and Wilmington.

Chef Andrés is becoming experienced at disaster relief. After Hurricane Maria swept through Puerto Rico, he organized 20,000 volunteers to serve over three million meals.

And he's been critical of the government's response in the past. After Hurricane Maria, he tweeted that his organization was feeding the National Guard in Puerto Rico, and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was leaving the people there hungry and thirsty.

As of Monday, Andrés World Central Kitchen has been the only major food-relief organization in Raleigh and Wilmington.

Read More:

José Andrés Feeds Evacuees in North Carolina as Hurricane Hits (Food & Wine)

José Andrés New Memoir: How the Chef Fed Puerto Rico(Wall Street Journal)

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