Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Meal services achievements and innovations
2:57:18
·
5 min
Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez highlights the recent successes and innovations in meal services provided by NYC Aging, emphasizing the impact of these services on combating poverty and food insecurity among older New Yorkers.
- In FY 2024, NYC Aging hit a post-pandemic record of 10 million meals served to older New Yorkers.
- The FY 2026 executive budget includes a $10 million increase for home-delivered meals providers.
- The department is hosting its first-ever plant-based cook-off to showcase innovation in meal services.
- Reimbursement rates for meal providers have increased from $11.78 in FY 2023 to $13.78 in FY 2025.
- The commissioner emphasizes the importance of meals as an anti-poverty measure and as 'food as medicine'.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
2:57:18
In f y twenty two twenty four, NYC hit a post pandemic record of 10,000,000 meals served to older New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs.
2:57:28
This includes 6,100,000 meals served at the 300 plus OACs in the network and 4,200,000 meals delivered by our home delivered meals providers.
2:57:38
We are pleased to share that we are on track to match that number again in f y twenty five.
2:57:44
And we're confident that the aging population as it grows in New York City, the US, New York City will be providing more than 10,000,000 meals annually in the years to come.
2:57:55
This is an incredible achievement when considering the dollar for dollar impact of meal provision has as an anti poverty measure in the lives of older adults.
2:58:06
When an older American act was passed sixty years ago, this July in 1965, a key reason for creating this pivotal legislation was to address the older adult poverty nationwide through nutrition and supportive services.
2:58:21
While what it means to be an older adult may have changed since the nineteen sixties, the basic needs for dignified aging, meals, health, agency and income remain the same.
2:58:33
And will do so in the future.
2:58:36
It does stem poverty and that is key to us is to ensure that New York older adults can stay in the city and avert poverty.
2:58:46
I also say that food is not the only curl of services, I always say that, which New York City provides.
2:58:53
But it is an important aspect of the work we do.
2:58:56
The FY twenty six executive budget includes more than a $10,000,000 increase for home delivered meals providers.
2:59:04
Further helping our contractors to weather some of the rising food and transportation costs while we also account for future growth in the homebound older adult population.
2:59:16
We strive for innovation and quality of meal services.
2:59:19
We're excited to and this is for you Gail.
2:59:22
We are we're excited to host the first ever plant based cook off.
2:59:27
I knew it.
2:59:29
I knew.
2:59:29
The plant based cook off which was sort of like our version of top chef.
2:59:35
And it and we were able to select three fabulous plant based dishes that are already served at the older adult clubs.
2:59:45
This was a great way to showcase the innovation done at centers around food as medicine.
2:59:52
And also taking this required health mandate and having a little fun with it in an objective way.
2:59:58
And improving the lives of older adults through healthy eating.
3:00:03
I appreciate the council's shared goal and commitment to older adults and supporting the work of NYC Aging, especially as we navigate the uncertainty in the federal government.
3:00:14
It feels that every day is a new change, a new crisis, or a fundamental shift in the way social services are provided to Americans.
3:00:22
Even amidst these uncertainties, NYC aging continues to meet the older adults that we planned for.
3:00:29
And we're planning for worst case scenario and moderate case scenarios.
3:00:34
We're also mindful of our joint advocacy role and work to ensure that federal dollars are available to aging services in New York City.
3:00:43
Regardless of what may come in the future, are still open, non profits are working.
3:00:48
Meal programs are functioning.
3:00:50
Case management continues.
3:00:52
And the cabinet for older New York's is still meeting and addressing the aging needs and breaks down communication silos which hinder agencies' effort to make New York an even more age inclusive city.
3:01:03
We are proud of these recent successes and some key programs supported and that shape our services and improve the lives of older adults.
3:01:14
As we announced in last February, from Columbia University and Robin Hood Foundation, the share of older New Yorkers living in poverty is now 25%.
3:01:25
Double the national average.
3:01:27
Because financial insecurity remains the most critical need of older adults, it highly and it is highly correlated to food insecurity.
3:01:36
NYC Aging is continuously evaluating our efforts and exploring areas of improvement.
3:01:43
While workforce programs continue to be a way older adults to avoid long term poverty, meals program are also a lifeline to older adults struggling with financial and ultimately food insecurity.
3:01:56
This includes enhancing meal options for recipients, embracing the diversity of our city by increasing the availability of culturally aligned meals, and promoting uniformly high quality and nutritious meals.
3:02:11
In FY twenty four, our network of 15 home delivered meals providers provided 4,200,000 meals to 24,600 clients.
3:02:21
Combined with the meals served at OAC, New served a record breaking 10,300,000 meals in FY25, underscoring the importance of these meals to older adults.
3:02:34
We're happy to mention again that this year's reimbursement rate has increased from $11.78 in fiscal twenty three to 13.78 in fiscal twenty five.
3:02:47
Although we know that costs are escalating on a daily basis.
3:02:51
Over the past few years, these rates have gradually risen to help meet the needs of our providers serving these critical needs.