WORCESTER, Mass. - A new food delivery program officially launched Tuesday for Worcester Housing Authority residents.

The 'Food Matters' program aims to address food insecurity. The pilot program will initially be offered at six properties and focus on the elderly and disabled community.

Residents will receive 12 culturally diverse shelf stable meals per month. At Tuesday's kickoff event, they got a chance to taste test the meals and meet with city and state leaders.

"The pandemic heightened and put a spotlight on food insecurity among all of us,” Worcester Housing Authority CEO Alex Corrales said. “Our residents that required food resources only occasionally are now depending on these resources on a daily basis."

"Now is the moment," Rep. Jim McGovern said. "The Food Matters program has the power to help many Worcester Housing Authority residents improve their diets. And if they improve their diets, they improve their overall health as well."

As the program grows, delivery service will expand to all of the Housing Authority properties. The WHA chose to partner with Renaissance Medical Group, who will provide the premade meals.