Last 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 in their homes and community-settings, and on March 22, members of the Governor's administration participated in events to continue the state's efforts to support healthy eating during National Nutrition Month:

• NYS Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen participated on a home-delivered meal route as well as served lunch and met with meal recipients in Canastota, Madison County.
• NYS Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker served lunch and met with meal recipients at the Hamilton-Madison House City Hall Senior Center in New York City.
• NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball served lunch and met with meal recipients at the Westview Homes Senior Center in Albany County.
• NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Michael Hein served lunch and met with meal recipients at the Rensselaer Senior Center in Rensselaer County.
• NYS Division of Veterans Affairs Deputy Director for Program Development Benjamin Pomerance participated on a home-delivered meal route in Malone, Franklin County.

Local offices for the aging held events across the state to raise awareness about the critical nutritional needs of older adults and the importance of healthy meals, nutrition counseling, and education. Counties participate throughout the month of March each year, and many hold events on March 22 to commemorate the date when the national nutrition program for adults 60 and older was established in 1972. This year, counties that participated in March for Meals events included, but were not limited to: 

PHOTOS of the 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 21.5 million meals annually to 214,000 older adults.
• Provides nutrition counseling, education, and health promotion services for almost 82,000 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

For more information:

Fact Sheet – New York State Leading the Nation in Providing Nutrition for Older Adults
Home Delivered and Congregate Meals 2018 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