Barbara Hughes
3:04:34
My name is Barbara Hughes, and I'm the executive director of City B Kitchens at Project Renewal.
3:04:41
We're a New York City homeless services nonprofit agency.
3:04:44
Thank you, chair Brewer and the city council for convening this hearing.
3:04:49
For over 55 years, project renewal has provided shelter, housing, healthcare, and employment services to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
3:04:58
We are grateful to the city council for supporting our programs.
3:05:02
Our social enterprise catering company, City Beat Kitchens, is unique because it employs many graduates of our project renewal culinary arts training program.
3:05:12
This workforce development program provides New Yorkers facing barriers to employment, including veterans with a world class culinary education and a pathway to a fulfilling career.
3:05:24
City B Kitchens prepares high quality food for providers across the city.
3:05:29
At this time, nearly 25 100 daily meals for 18 non profit sites and 28 100 daily meals for project renewal 7 shelters.
3:05:39
We also cater private and corporate events.
3:05:42
Profits from the business are reinvested in our culinary training program to provide even more employment opportunities.
3:05:51
Intra 979 would, place undue burden on non profit caterers like us.
3:05:58
In recent years, food prices have risen by 20%, paper products 25, gas 54%, van repairs 43%, yet the food budget for shelter meals has remained the same.
3:06:11
Requiring non profit providers who are obligated to provide a meal for all of our shelter residents to document food consumption and waste will add another costly layer of administrative burden.
3:06:23
We are deeply concerned about our non funded mandate at a time when the city has been chronically late to pay non profit providers for our work.
3:06:32
The best way to reduce food waste in shelters is to simply improve the quality of food.
3:06:37
Think about it, if you had an unappetizing meal placed in front of you, would you force yourself to eat it?
3:06:44
Or would you try to go to a nearby soup kitchen or pantry for something better?
3:06:49
When poor quality food is wasted, the city is
