Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.

New York City Council

Committee on Economic Development

Feb 25, 2025

·

10:00 AM

2 hr 33 min

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Summary

A hearing on food quality in New York City shelters, particularly for homeless individuals and asylum seekers.

Discussions focused on ongoing issues with food quality, cultural appropriateness, and vendor accountability despite previous promises for improvement.

Council members expressed frustration over persistent problems and pushed for better oversight, standardization of meal costs, and consideration of alternative food service models.

The hearing also addressed Intro 905, a bill requiring standardized feedback surveys from food vendors.

Features testimony from the Mayor's Office of Food Policy, Department of Social Services, Mayor's Office of Contract Services, and the public.

Meeting chapters

Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.

REMARKS

Council Member Julie Won opens joint hearing on food quality in NYC shelters

Council Member Julie Won, chair of the committee on contracts, opens a joint hearing with the committee on economic development to examine food quality in New York City's shelters for …

0:00:39

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3 min

REMARKS

Majority Leader Amanda Farías opens hearing on food quality in NYC shelters

Majority Leader Amanda Farías, chair of the committee on economic development, opens a joint hearing on food quality in NYC shelters. She provides context for the hearing, emphasizing the importance …

0:04:22

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104 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Introduction and agency representation at the hearing

Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy, introduces herself and her colleagues from various city departments attending the hearing on food quality in NYC shelters. The …

0:06:46

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41 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Role and mission of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy

The Mayor's Office of Food Policy (MOFP) aims to increase food security, promote healthy food access, and support sustainability in the food system. MOFP supports the Department of Homeless Services …

0:07:28

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130 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Methods of food provision in DHS shelters

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) serves over 14 million meals and snacks annually through three main methods of food provision in shelters. These methods aim to meet diverse dietary …

0:09:41

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135 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Quality control and feedback systems for shelter meals

DHS implements various quality control and feedback systems to ensure meal quality in shelters. These systems involve multiple layers of oversight and adherence to established standards. - Meals must adhere …

0:11:57

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149 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Client feedback mechanisms for food quality

DHS maintains various channels for clients to provide feedback on food quality in shelters. These mechanisms aim to ensure that client voices are heard and addressed in the food service …

0:14:27

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76 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Vendor performance requirements and oversight

DHS implements strict vendor performance requirements and oversight processes to ensure optimal meal quality in shelters. These measures involve multiple agencies and regular inspections. - Vendors must hold a food …

0:15:44

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137 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Capacity building workshop series for potential food vendors

The Department of Social Services is launching a capacity building workshop series to help local restaurants and catering companies develop large-scale food service capabilities. This initiative aims to diversify and …

0:18:01

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166 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Discussion of Intro 905 on standardized feedback surveys

Kate MacKenzie addresses Intro 905, which proposes requiring food service contractors with city contracts over $100,000 to provide standardized feedback surveys to consumers quarterly. The administration supports the intention but …

0:20:48

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66 sec

Q&A

Inconsistent meal costs and factors affecting pricing in NYC shelters

Council Member Julie Won questions city officials about the inconsistent meal costs across shelters and agencies. The discussion covers factors affecting meal pricing, including food prices, labor costs, preparation, delivery, …

0:22:00

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4 min

Q&A

Lack of standardization in meal costs and contract bidding processes

Council Member Julie Won criticizes the lack of standardization in meal costs across shelters and questions the competitive bidding process for food contracts. - Won points out that a year …

0:26:47

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120 sec

Q&A

Contract renewal process and food quality control measures in shelters

Council Member Julie Won inquires about the contract renewal process for existing food providers and the food quality control measures in place for shelters. - Officials explain that direct food …

0:28:48

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171 sec

Q&A

Staffing for food quality inspections and nutritional guidelines in shelters

Council Member Julie Won questions the adequacy of staffing for food quality inspections and raises concerns about nutritional guidelines in shelters. - Won compares staffing levels for inspections between DHS …

0:31:39

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4 min

Q&A

Process for requesting reasonable accommodations and staffing issues in shelters

The discussion covers the process for shelter residents to request reasonable accommodations for special meals and touches on staffing issues in shelters. - Officials explain that the process for requesting …

0:36:18

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3 min

REMARKS

Council Member Farías raises concerns about halal food certification in shelters

Council Member Amanda Farías addresses discrepancies between reports of halal food provision in NYC shelters and actual experiences of Muslim shelter residents. She cites media reports highlighting issues with food …

0:39:26

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76 sec

Q&A

Discussion on halal certification process and contract requirements for food vendors

Council Member Amanda Farías engages in a Q&A session with panel members about the halal certification process for food vendors in NYC shelters. The discussion covers certification requirements, monitoring processes, …

0:40:44

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3 min

REMARKS

Council Members Won and Farías challenge the city's halal certification verification process

Council Members Julie Won and Amanda Farías express serious concerns about the city's verification process for halal certification, questioning its reliability and enforcement mechanisms. - Won points out that current …

0:43:54

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91 sec

Q&A

Detailed questioning on halal certification verification and contract language discrepancies

Council Members Julie Won and Amanda Farías press for specific answers regarding the city's verification process for halal certification and address discrepancies in contract language between halal and kosher meal …

0:45:25

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3 min

Q&A

Emergency contracts and competitive bidding for migrant shelter food procurement

Council Member Farías inquires about the number and percentage of emergency contracts for food procurement in migrant shelters. Agency representatives explain that all DHS emergency food contracts were competitively bid, …

0:48:53

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128 sec

Q&A

Transition from emergency contracts to long-term contracts for migrant shelters

Jill Berry explains the current status of emergency contracts for migrant shelters and the process of transitioning to longer-term contracts. - Approximately 50 hotels were procured under emergency contracting regulations …

0:51:04

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21 sec

Q&A

Proposal for multi-vendor contracts and standardized pricing for shelter food services

Council Member Farías suggests implementing multi-vendor contracts with standardized pricing for shelter food services to address inconsistencies in costs across different shelters. - The proposal aims to create a more …

0:51:27

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66 sec

REMARKS

Explanation of current contracting approach for shelter food services

Jill Berry provides a detailed explanation of the current contracting approach for shelter food services, highlighting its advantages and addressing potential alternatives. - The current system allows for individualized contracts …

0:52:35

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108 sec

Q&A

Federal funding and budget projections for shelter operations

Council Member Farías inquires about federal funding sources and budget projections for shelter operations, with agency representatives providing information on current funding structures and potential risks. - The Mayor's Office …

0:54:23

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126 sec

Q&A

FEMA fund clawbacks and potential impact on shelter operations

Council Member Farías inquires about the city's response to FEMA fund clawbacks and their potential impact on shelter operations and food resources. - The city plans to sue the federal …

0:56:29

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41 sec

Q&A

FEMA funding for food contracts in NYC shelters

Council Member Julie Won inquires about FEMA funding for food contracts in NYC shelters, particularly focusing on contracts with Riviera and Whitsons. The discussion covers the potential loss of FEMA …

0:57:10

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3 min

Q&A

Accountability process for food quality complaints in shelters

Council Member Julie Won raises concerns about the accountability process for food quality complaints in shelters, particularly regarding the expansion of contracts with vendors receiving numerous complaints. - Julie Won …

1:00:21

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111 sec

Q&A

Implementation and effectiveness of QR code surveys for food feedback

Council Member Julie Won inquires about the implementation and effectiveness of QR code surveys for food feedback in shelters, focusing on data collection and transparency. - Questions raised about where …

1:02:13

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3 min

REMARKS

Inadequacy of current shelter scorecard in reflecting food quality

Council Member Julie Won criticizes the current shelter scorecard for its inadequacy in reflecting food quality issues in shelters. - The scorecard primarily focuses on inspections by DOB, HPD, FDNY, …

1:05:52

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85 sec

Q&A

Food quality control measures and restrictions on additives

The discussion focuses on food quality control measures and restrictions on additives in shelter meals. - Kate MacKenzie mentions checks for sodium, whole grains, and sugar content in meals - …

1:07:20

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32 sec

Q&A

Process for reviewing menus from food vendors

The discussion covers the process for reviewing menus from food vendors for shelter meals. - Sample menus are reviewed during the bid process - More detailed menu reviews occur once …

1:07:52

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62 sec

Q&A

Concerns about unusually long expiration dates on shelter food

Council Member Julie Won raises concerns about unusually long expiration dates on food served in shelters. - Specific mention of Regina's Caterers food expiring years after production - Questions about …

1:08:55

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46 sec

Q&A

Process for investigating food quality complaints in shelters

The discussion focuses on the process for investigating food quality complaints in shelters. - Complaints are sent to the shelter operations team at DHS and relevant contractors or shelter staff …

1:09:41

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133 sec

Q&A

Statistics on food-related complaints in shelters

Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about statistics on food-related complaints in shelters. - In calendar year 2024, there were approximately 1,479 complaints about food and meals - Questions raised about …

1:11:54

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65 sec

Q&A

Timeline and process for responding to food complaints

The discussion covers the timeline and process for responding to food complaints in shelters. - Typical response time is within 14 days, with faster responses for egregious complaints - Complaints …

1:12:59

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84 sec

Q&A

Subcontracting process for food providers in NYC shelters

Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about the subcontracting process for food providers in NYC shelters. First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry explains that there is no prequalified list of subcontractors, and …

1:14:34

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52 sec

Q&A

Oversight and accountability of subcontractors in shelter system

Council Member Alexa Aviles expresses concerns about subcontracting issues in the shelter system, drawing parallels to problems in NYCHA. She questions how DSS and other agencies evaluate subcontractors to ensure …

1:15:26

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57 sec

Q&A

Issues with selecting the cheapest bidder for food contracts

Council Members Alexa Aviles and Julie Won express concerns about the practice of selecting the cheapest bidder for food contracts in shelters. They question whether this approach can produce quality …

1:16:24

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34 sec

Q&A

Contract privity between the city and subcontractors

Mehak Kapoor, Deputy Director for Procurement Operations at MOCS, explains the concept of contract privity in relation to subcontractors in the shelter system. - Kapoor clarifies that the contract relationship …

1:16:59

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31 sec

Q&A

City's responsibility for quality throughout the contracting chain

Council Member Alexa Aviles argues that the city bears responsibility for the entire contracting chain, including subcontractors, in providing quality services to shelter residents. - Aviles criticizes the approach of …

1:17:30

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122 sec

Q&A

Halal food provision in NYC shelters

Council Member Alexa Aviles expresses frustration over the ongoing issues with providing quality halal foods in NYC shelters. She inquires about the tracking of local halal food providers in the …

1:19:32

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52 sec

Q&A

New York-based food contractors and MWBE participation in shelter food services

Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about the proportion of New York-based entities and Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) among food contractors for NYC shelters. DSS officials provide information on …

1:20:25

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128 sec

Q&A

Q&A on MWBE contracting percentages and vendor breakdown

Council Member Julie Won inquires about the 53% MWBE contracting by volume mentioned earlier. She requests a detailed breakdown of this percentage, including information on large and small vendors contributing …

1:22:35

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56 sec

REMARKS

Concerns raised about MWBE certification authenticity

Council Member Julie Won expresses serious concerns about the authenticity of MWBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise) certifications in New York City and State contracting. She highlights potential discrepancies between …

1:23:31

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47 sec

REMARKS

Concerns about food quality and complaint process in shelters

Council Member Julie Won raises significant concerns about food quality in shelters and the lack of responsiveness to complaints. She highlights ongoing issues with moldy and rotten food being served …

1:24:19

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77 sec

Q&A

Q&A on subcontracting criteria and reporting processes

Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the criteria for subcontracting in food service contracts for NYC shelters, focusing on the required percentages of work performed by prime contractors versus subcontractors. …

1:25:35

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149 sec

REMARKS

Allegations of forced subcontracting in DHS contracts

Council Member Julie Won raises serious allegations about forced subcontracting practices within the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). She presents information from whistleblowers about potentially unethical practices in subcontracting arrangements. …

1:28:05

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64 sec

Q&A

Discussion on costs and budgeting for food in NYC shelters

Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. inquires about the number of shelters in the DHS system and the costs associated with providing food to shelter residents. The discussion reveals that there …

1:29:15

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148 sec

Q&A

Food delivery and storage practices in NYC shelters

Council Member Salamanca inquires about the logistics of food delivery and storage in NYC shelters. The discussion reveals that practices vary depending on each shelter's capabilities and contract terms with …

1:31:44

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67 sec

Q&A

Quality assurance and monitoring of food in NYC shelters

Council Member Salamanca inquires about the processes for ensuring food quality in NYC shelters. The discussion reveals a multi-layered approach to food quality assurance and monitoring. - Shelter providers are …

1:32:52

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105 sec

Q&A

Proposal for implementing a food grading system in NYC shelters

Council Member Salamanca proposes the idea of implementing a food grading system for shelter food providers, similar to the letter grade system used for restaurants and food carts in NYC. …

1:34:37

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103 sec

Q&A

Comparison of food quality oversight staffing at DHS and DFTA

Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about the staffing levels for food quality oversight at the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) compared to the Department for the Aging (DFTA). First …

1:36:26

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96 sec

Q&A

Potential for using local vendors like Rethink Food for shelter meals

Council Member Brewer expresses strong support for Rethink Food and inquires about the possibility of using local vendors for shelter meals. Kate MacKenzie from the Mayor's Office of Food Policy …

1:38:03

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118 sec

Q&A

Contract expiration and RFP process for DHS food vendors

Council Member Brewer inquires about the expiration of current food vendor contracts with DHS and the process for writing new RFPs. Kate MacKenzie from the Mayor's Office of Food Policy …

1:40:00

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56 sec

Q&A

Payment timeliness issues at DHS compared to H+H

Council Member Brewer raises the issue of payment timeliness at DHS compared to Health + Hospitals (H+H). First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry responds to this concern. - Brewer notes that …

1:40:57

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43 sec

Q&A

Process for developing new RFPs for food contracts

Council Member Brewer inquires about the process for developing new Request for Proposals (RFPs) for food contracts that could address current issues with food quality and waste. Kate MacKenzie from …

1:41:40

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90 sec

REMARKS

Example of Community Food Connections program RFP development

First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry provides an example of successful collaboration in developing a new RFP for the Community Food Connections program, which delivers food to food pantries. - The …

1:43:10

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28 sec

Q&A

Council Member Kevin Riley inquires about MWBE contracts for food services in NYC shelters

Council Member Kevin Riley questions Raymond Medina from the Department of Social Services about Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) contracts for food services in NYC shelters. They discuss the …

1:44:24

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3 min

Q&A

Council Member Julie Won questions food contract bidding process and nutritional analysis

Council Member Julie Won leads a discussion on food contracts for NYC shelters, questioning why contracts aren't always awarded to the lowest bidder and inquiring about the process for nutritional …

1:47:49

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Allison Wilkey, Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Campaigns at Coalition for the Homeless

Allison Wilkey, representing the Coalition for the Homeless and the Legal Aid Society, testified about persistent issues with food quality in NYC shelters. She highlighted frequent complaints about dietary accommodations, …

1:53:22

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3 min

Q&A

Council Member Won inquires about specific shelters and food providers responsible for poor food quality

Council Member Julie Won asks Allison Wilkey from the Coalition for the Homeless for information on specific shelters and food providers associated with the poor food quality issues discussed earlier. …

1:57:06

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38 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Matt Jozwiak, Founder of Rethink Food, on Food Quality in NYC Shelters

Matt Jozwiak, Founder of Rethink Food, testified on the ongoing issues with food quality in NYC shelters, emphasizing the need for increased oversight and third-party investigations. He highlighted the inadequacy …

1:57:48

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127 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Barbara Hughes, Executive Director of City Beet Kitchens

Barbara Hughes, Executive Director of City Beet Kitchens, testifies about the challenges faced by small vendors in competing with larger catering companies for shelter food contracts. She emphasizes the importance …

1:59:59

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134 sec

Q&A

Council Member Won asks for clarification on major food vendors

Council Member Julie Won asks Barbara Hughes to identify the 'big three' competitors she mentioned in her testimony. Hughes names Regina, Whitsons, and Riviera as the major food vendors competing …

2:02:14

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21 sec

Q&A

Council Member Brewer asks about improving food quality and contracting in shelters

Council Member Gale A. Brewer addresses the panel with questions about improving food quality and contracting processes in NYC shelters. She specifically inquires about: - The number of staff needed …

2:02:35

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48 sec

Q&A

Panel members respond to questions about improving shelter food services

Panel members Matt Jozwiak and Barbara Hughes respond to Council Member Brewer's questions about improving food services in NYC shelters. Key points include: - Jozwiak highlights the success of Health …

2:03:25

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84 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Janet Jackson, Representative of Coalition for the Homeless Client Advisory Group

Janet Jackson, a former shelter resident for 10 years, testifies about ongoing food quality issues in NYC shelters. She highlights problems with food storage, preparation, and the lack of accommodation …

2:05:44

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143 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Adama Bah, Executive Director of Afrikana, on Halal Food in NYC Shelters

Adama Bah, Executive Director of Afrikana, testifies about the lack of adequate halal food for Black Muslims in New York City shelters. She criticizes the current provision of halal meals …

2:08:12

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131 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Latoya Meadows, Founder and CEO of Collective Fare, on Food Quality in NYC Shelters

Latoya Meadows, founder and CEO of Collective Fare, testified about the importance of providing culturally relevant and nutritious meals in NYC shelters to reduce food waste and improve the health …

2:10:29

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153 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Shana McCormick, Executive Director of RAP4Bronx

Shana McCormick, Executive Director of RAP4Bronx, testified in support of Intro 905-2024, which would require food service contractors with city contracts over $100,000 to provide standardized feedback surveys to consumers …

2:13:33

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168 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of Interfaith Center of New York, on Cultural Competency in Food for Diverse Religious Observances

Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York, spoke in favor of Intro 905, emphasizing the importance of culturally competent food in supporting diverse religious observances in …

2:16:28

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar, President of Halal Watch

Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar, President of Halal Watch, testified about the importance of proper halal oversight in government institutions, including shelters and schools. He emphasized the need for accurate labeling …

2:19:46

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157 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Christopher Leon Johnson on Food Quality in NYC Shelters

Christopher Leon Johnson testified in support of improving food quality in NYC shelters, criticizing the current state of meals provided. He expressed concern about the use of unhealthy and GMO …

2:22:35

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156 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Jeanette Lugo, Clergy Liaison of New York Police Department (NYPD) on Food Quality in NYC Shelters

Jeanette Lugo, NYPD clergy liaison for PSA two, testifies about the dire food situation in NYC shelters, particularly in East New York and Brownsville. She highlights issues such as insufficient …

2:25:17

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148 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sharon Brown, Member of the Public

Sharon Brown testifies about the ongoing issues with food quality in NYC shelters and proposes solutions to improve the situation for shelter residents. She expresses frustration that previous hearings on …

2:27:49

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120 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Rana Abdelhamid, Founder of Malikah, on Food Quality in NYC Shelters

Rana Abdelhamid, founder of Malikah, testified about the urgent food issues faced by asylum seekers in NYC shelters, particularly highlighting the lack of halal food options and poor food quality. …

2:30:18

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149 sec

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