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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

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

2:10:29

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153 sec

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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 and dignity of those experiencing food insecurity. She emphasized the success of their model in collaboration with Rethink Food, delivering over 1.2 million meals during the pandemic.

Advocated for prioritizing local, community-based food providers who understand the people they serve
Stressed the need for accountability and oversight of food vendors through feedback mechanisms
Highlighted the potential for investing in local businesses and non-profits to create jobs and strengthen the city's economy while improving meal quality in shelters

Latoya Meadows

2:10:29

Good day majority leader Amanda Faris, contract committee chair Julie Wan and members of the council.

2:10:35

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.

2:10:37

My name is Latoya Meadows and I am the founder of and CEO of Collective Fair.

2:10:42

We're dedicated to ensuring that New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity receive high quality nutritious and culturally relevant meals because food is more than just sustenance, it is dignity, health and belonging.

2:10:56

For years I've worked in the with food insecure communities and the one thing is clear, too much food being served in shelters go to waste.

2:11:05

Not because people don't need it but because it doesn't reflect their cultural backgrounds or nutritional needs.

2:11:11

When meals are unfamiliar, lack seasoning or don't align with dietary traditions they go uneaten.

2:11:17

Wasting food resources and opportunities to nourish.

2:11:20

Without accountability we cannot fix what we can't measure.

2:11:25

At collective fair we've proven that a different that a different model is possible.

2:11:29

During the pandemic we delivered over 1,200,000 meals in collaboration with Rethink Foods and hundreds of thousands more that continue to this day.

2:11:39

Through us through the asylum response and beyond, these were meals that people actually ate because they were fresh, thoughtfully prepared, culturally relevant and competent.

2:11:49

We literally go to the shelters and find out who the people are because it's important for us

Amanda Farías

2:11:54

and I ad libbed that part.

Latoya Meadows

2:11:57

By working with local food providers, we've reduced waste, improved quality and restored dignity to food access.

2:12:04

The city truly wants to feed New Yorkers and not just fulfill contracts, it needs to prioritize local community based food providers who understand the people they serve.

2:12:14

That means serving meals that reflect cultural and dietary needs so people actually eat them.

2:12:19

It means holding vendors accountable for the quality and nutrition through feedback and oversight and it also it means investing in local businesses and non profits that create jobs and reinvest into community, which strengthens New York City's economy.

2:12:35

Our partnership with Rethink Food has shown that that this model works.

2:12:39

We've scaled meal this meal distribution while maintaining nutrition, taste and dignity.

2:12:45

This is not only about fixing a broken food system, it's about building a better one through innovative and holistic practices.

2:12:52

The city has a choice, continue wasting meals and resources or invest in a system where everyone, every meal served is a meal that heals, nourishes and respects those who receive it.

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Testimony by Shana McCormick, Executive Director of RAP4Bronx