Resolution calling upon the Department for the Aging to ensure that halal meals are available as part of the home delivered meals program.

By Council Members Ulrich, Espinal, Chin, Constantinides, Dromm, Eugene, Gentile, Koo, Lancman, Levine, Vallone, Williams, Rodriguez, Mendez, Richards, Miller, Rosenthal and Menchaca

Whereas, The federal government provides local agencies on aging with funding for nutritional programs for seniors through the Older Americans Act; and

Whereas, The New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) contracts with non-profit organizations to operate nutrition programs offering seniors home delivered meals; and

Whereas, In 2013, DFTA contractors delivered 4.25 million meals to seniors throughout the City, serving approximately 17,000 each day; and

Whereas, According to DFTA, a number of home delivered meal providers offer specialized meals such as kosher meals and culturally relevant meals to those identifying as Chinese, Polish, and Korean; and

Whereas, It is estimated that between 600,000 and one million Muslims live in New York City; and

Whereas, Observant Muslims adhere to a halal diet, consuming only approved foods that have been prepared in accordance with Islamic law; and

Whereas, Currently, none of the 16 contractors currently participating in DFTA's home delivered meal program offer halal meals; and

Whereas, Free home delivered meals can help prevent disease, reduce the effects of chronic illnesses, promote socialization, and keep low-income seniors from going hungry; and

Whereas, Offering culturally and religiously appropriate meals allows more seniors in the City's increasingly diverse aging population to benefit from the home delivered meals program; and

Whereas, Many Muslim seniors would go hungry rather than go against their religious beliefs by eating non-halal meals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Department for the Aging to ensure that halal meals are available as part of the home delivered meals program.

KET

5/2/14 11:05AM

LS 1233/2014