Coinciding with football season, new Meals Dressed With Love program aims to boost local food economy

NEW ORLEANS – My Mogul Media, BypassLines, and the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) have teamed up to launch the Meals Dressed with Love program, which supports the local food economy by highlighting black food businesses and allowing people locally, regionally, and nationally to provide free meals for a deserving family or individual.

The program, which was officially announced in concurrence with Essence Festival 2022 and Black Tech Nola/Black Food Truck Festival during the week of June 27, also supports and promotes local food entrepreneurs through the digitalization of the business menu, providing a local option for pick-up and delivery through the business website or BypassLines app and the option to order a meal online for another person through a gift card purchase.

“If there’s one thing that can provide comfort to people in New Orleans and neighboring communities, it is definitely food,” says Darrin Cook, Founder of Meals Dressed with Love.

The Meals Dressed with Love Program is funded by NOLABA’s Resilient Corridors Initiative (RCI), which provides much-needed support through technical and marketing assistance to businesses and commercial corridors within the following seven historically disadvantaged neighborhoods identified as part of its Strategic Neighborhood Development strategy: Algiers, Gentilly, Gert Town, Hollygrove, Lower 9, New Orleans East, and Tremé. These communities have experienced decades of disinvestment, leaving surrounding businesses more vulnerable to economic and environmental disasters, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. NOLABA is proud to expand its impact and support the local food community through Meals Dressed with Love by inviting local, regional, and national food lovers alike to experience New Orleans’ rich culinary offerings while also supporting some of the city’s Black-owned businesses.

“NOLABA is incredibly proud to support Meals Dressed with Love, which represents a perfect alignment with both our Resilient Corridors Initiative and our work as a whole to uplift our city’s small business community and Black entrepreneurs,” says Norman E. Barnum, IV, President and CEO of NOLABA. “This unique and much-needed program combines New Orleans’ rich culinary culture and each of the restaurateurs’ passion to provide fresh and wholesome home-cooked meals to those in our community who are ill and in need.”

“Partnering with Meals Dressed with Love is the perfect opportunity to marry two initiates dear to my heart- culinary entrepreneurship and community, says Sinnidra Taylor, Owner of Crazy Waffle Bar and Codey’s NOLA. “For many, especially in New Orleans, food has been the centerpiece that brings us together. Through this creative platform, I am able to share my food with a person in need and increase my visibility with mission-aligned individuals.”

“Our local restaurants and retailers can feel good about joining a local digital platform, says Spencer Davis, co-Founder of BypassLines. “We are excited to know that we can offer a unique and innovative platform to help make giving back look and feel cool.”

The full launch of the Meals Dressed with Love Program coincides with the upcoming 2022 football season, as New Orleanians’ love of local food goes hand-in-hand with their love of football and the New Orleans Saints.

For more information about Meals Dressed with Love, visit mealsdressedwithlove.com.

For more information about NOLABA’s Resilient Corridors Initiative, visit nolaba.org/locate-expand/strategic-neighborhood-development.

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About New Orleans Business Alliance
One of fewer than 80 Accredited Economic Development Organizations worldwide, the New Orleans Business Alliance is the official public-private partnership created to increase economic gains for the city of New Orleans. Through a direct partnership with the City of New Orleans and strong connectivity with the business community, the New Orleans Business Alliance works to ensure the economic security of all New Orleanians by diversifying the local economy, developing local talent, and expanding entrepreneurial opportunity. Through an inclusive economic development strategy, we will create a more equitable and prosperous future for all. Learn more at www.nolaba.org.

About Meals Dressed with Love
Meals Dressed with Love was a bright spot at a dark time in New Orleans. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in September 2021, a compassionate and savvy businessman was determined to do something for his hometown that would spell relief for people who were suffering and generate sales for food-related businesses that were hurting for revenue. The combination of these factors led him to conceive Meals Dressed with Love.

About My Mogul Media
My Mogul Media has been at the cutting edge of brand building for dozens of corporate clients, specializing in e-commerce, non-profit organizations, schools, entertainers, and more. My Mogul Media was founded by Darrin Cook, serial entrepreneur and renowned brand strategist for America’s top brands. We are a dedicated team working globally to deliver exceptional results to our clients.

About BypassLines
A digital ordering technology that specializes in enhancing the customer’s experience no matter the venue. A simple but innovative way for businesses to increase engagement including their revenues. BypassLines develops contactless ordering, on-premise ordering and payment, option to reach customers outside of the venue. The online ordering services drive more revenue, keeps branding consistent, streamline operations, improve customer experiences and provides food businesses with the capacity to streamline catering orders, address corporate catering easier and submit catering orders online. The local-based, black-owned company has fused mobile ordering, shipping, and seamless integrations to the New Orleans region.