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Citymeals on Wheels Commits to Ending Hunger Among Older Adults
in New York City by 2040

-Citymeals calls for a deeper investment in food programs for older New Yorkers following groundbreaking study showing food insecurity is a crisis-

-Aging Without Hunger: Ending Food Insecurity for Older New Yorkers-

(New York, NY) - Today, during Older Americans Month, Citymeals on Wheels released the report Aging Without Hunger: Ending Food Insecurity for Older New Yorkers by 2040. The data, collected in conjunction with the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, reveals a food insecurity crisis among adults age 60 and over receiving home-delivered meals and attending older adult centers in New York City.

Citymeals believes that food insecurity for older adults can be eliminated by modernizing public programs and making transformative investments in home- and community-based nutrition services that support healthy aging in place. Citymeals calls on policymakers at all levels of government to join them in eliminating food insecurity for older New Yorkers by 2040.

The findings of Citymeals’ new research show that almost half of those surveyed experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, with this number increasing to 60% for those receiving home-delivered meals.

“Food insecurity has reached a crisis point for many older New Yorkers,” said Beth Shapiro, CEO of Citymeals on Wheels. “Our research points to clear and necessary steps that must be taken to end this crisis. Hunger is a solvable problem, and we are determined to help those in need. Citymeals is committed to ending hunger among older adults in New York City by 2040. And we are calling for a broad community response to make this happen.”
 

  • Of the 1.77 million New Yorkers over 60, 146,119 attended older adult centers and 27,547 received home-delivered meals last year.
     
  • Citymeals’ research shows that grocery shopping is a significant challenge for older New Yorkers: 41% of those surveyed report they are sometimes or never able to shop for groceries.
     
  • Approximately 38% of older New Yorkers surveyed have limited ability to prepare food, and 15% are never able to cook.
     
  • Although most barriers to food access are physical, Citymeals’ research additionally shows that cognitive changes can make meal planning and preparation overwhelming for many older adults.
     
  • Financial hardship among older New Yorkers receiving home-delivered meals and attending older adult centers was striking: 65% of those surveyed are living on less than $15,000 a year; 32% do not receive social security.

Compounding this, increasing isolation, underutilization of public benefits like SNAP and a distinct lack of social support further hurt older New Yorkers.

In working to eliminate hunger for New Yorkers over 60, Citymeals has identified issues that partners at all levels must work together to address. To begin addressing these issues, Citymeals will work to provide more food to those in need by expanding existing delivery programs, launching exciting new pilot programs and conducting additional research to further understand the challenges older adults face in New York City.

“Citymeals' research has indelibly contributed to the fight against food insecurity, and their insights help provide a clear path forward for solving the issue of hunger among older adults across New York,” said New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging. “When I founded Greater Prospect Heights Mutual Aid shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic began, I saw so many older adults in my neighborhood who were suddenly pushed into food insecurity after being on the brink for years. This research shows that despite the urgency of the pandemic and the increased acknowledgement of food insecurity among older adults, we have not done nearly enough to begin combatting this crisis. By heeding these recommendations, New York City can enact policies and allocate resources that prioritize the well-being and dignity of older adults, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community for all.”

“We applaud Citymeals on Wheels for this research, which shines a light on the scope of hunger that is experienced by older New Yorkers accessing the City’s core aging services,” said Beth Finkel, State Director, AARP New York. “Everyone deserves access to adequate, healthy food and it is clear our current model doesn’t go far enough to ensure this. At a time when food insecurity is on the rise, we must provide older New Yorkers with more options for meeting their nutritional needs.”

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