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Officials gather under a portable canopy during the presentation of three state-of-the-art mobile feeding trucks that each can quickly prepare and serve 10,000 meals a day in mass disasters.

(Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger)

The Christie administration spent $870,000 from federal grants on three feeding trucks to be used during an emergency or natural disaster, according to a report from the Asbury Park Press.

The trucks, each 40 feet long and 13 feet tall, will be used by The Salvation Army to prepare and serve 30,000 hot meals a day in times of need, the report said. The feeding trucks can be driven to shelters or any large-scale emergency location and quickly begin serving meals to first responders and disaster survivors, the report said.

“In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, volunteer organizations provided over 4.5 million meals in the impacted counties,” Jennifer Velez, commissioner of the state’s Department of Human Services, said in a press release. “The ability to quickly prepare food for individuals during an emergency is critical, and these unique vehicles will enhance the state’s response.”

Officials told The Press that the trucks are believed to be the first in the country that can dish out meals to 10,000 people within four hours of arriving at a disaster site.

Each vehicle is equipped with large onboard diesel generators and two large propane tanks, allowing them to operate without electricity, the report said.