Albany, NY—Earlier this week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced statewide efforts to deliver high quality, nutritious meals to older New Yorkers as part of the national March for Meals campaign. New York is the nation's longstanding leader in providing the highest quality meals to older adults, and throughout the week, members of the Governor's administration participated in events to continue the state's efforts to support healthy living during National Nutrition Month.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off the week's events by serving lunch and meeting with meal recipients on Monday, March 19 at Westview Homes Senior Center in Albany.

Members of Governor Cuomo's administration participated in the weeklong campaign:

• New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen participated in home delivered meal routes in Franklin County on Monday, March 19.
• New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel Roberts served lunch and met with meal recipients at the Dunbar Association in Syracuse, Onondaga County, on Monday, March 19.
• New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball served lunch and met with meal recipients at the Sharon Springs Fire Department in Schoharie County on Wednesday, March 21.

PHOTOS of the week’s events are available on the New York State Office for the Aging’s Flickr page.

Every March, Meals on Wheels programs across the country raise awareness in their communities about the critical nutritional needs of older adults and the importance of healthy meals, nutrition counseling, and education. During National Nutrition Month, programs highlight the importance of improving health, the critical role volunteers play in preparing and delivering meals, and state agencies and community organizations partnering to deliver meals—all of which are key components of the Governor's efforts to make New York the healthiest state in the nation.

New York State:

• Provides at least $53 million more for home delivered and community meals than any other state.
• Ranks first in the nation for the number of people receiving nutrition services and supports.
• Serves 23 million meals annually to 244,000 older adults.
• Provides nutrition counseling, education, and health promotion services for more than 300,000 older adults every year.
• Advocates to improve access to food for those in greatest economic and social need across the state, particularly those in underserved areas where there are high levels of poverty, environmental barriers to positive health behaviors, and low levels of access to needed health services.

For more information:

Fact Sheet – New York State Leading the Nation in Providing Nutrition for Older Adults: page 1; page 2
Home Delivered and Congregate Meals 2017 by County
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
FreshConnect Farmers’ Markets
New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

About the New York State Office for the Aging
The mission of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) is to help older New Yorkers be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected to the New York State Office for the Aging—download the NYSOFA mobile app for iOS or Android; visit the NYSOFA Facebook; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter; or visit www.aging.ny.gov.