Food Fight

Who is Feeding Asylum Seekers in NYC?

As New York City grapples with the challenge of providing shelter and sustenance to tens of thousands of newly arrived asylum seekers, local organizations are stepping up to ensure that these individuals receive not only adequate meals but also culturally appropriate, nutritious, and safe food. In the face of strained resources and logistical hurdles, these efforts underscore the importance of community-driven solutions in addressing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Since the spring of 2022, approximately 200,000 asylum seekers have arrived in New York City. Of these, about 61,000 are currently housed in city-funded shelters, according to the New York City Comptroller’s office. Under the city’s unique right-to-shelter directive, New York is obligated to provide shelter to anyone without a safe place to sleep. State law further requires that family shelters offer three well-balanced meals daily, catering to dietary, nutritional, or religious restrictions.

However, the city’s efforts to meet this obligation have been strained by the sheer scale of the crisis. Many asylum seekers are housed in spaces such as large tents, offices, and warehouses that lack basic cooking facilities. Compounding the issue, a contracted vendor reportedly wasted 70,000 meals in less than three weeks, and recipients have described being served subpar food, including greasy pasta, frozen or raw meatballs, and meals with visible mold. A survey conducted by Documented revealed that all 58 asylum seekers interviewed across 15 shelters reported getting sick after eating these meals, with some experiencing severe symptoms requiring emergency care.

Addressing complaints about meal quality, Mayor Eric Adams stated that the city cannot accommodate the varied cultural food preferences of its shelter residents, saying, “We’re going to provide food for people. People may have different cultural tastes for certain foods. We can’t do that.”

Faced with the city’s shortcomings, a network of local organizations has stepped in to fill the gaps, ensuring that asylum seekers have access to meals that are not only safe but also culturally appropriate and nourishing.

“The recent increase in migrants seeking our assistance has been unprecedented,” says Racquel Peters, Chief Development Officer of The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH). Despite a significant loss of donors – nearly half, according to Founder and CEO Dr. Melony Samuels – the organization has managed to distribute food to an average of 14,000 families weekly. TCAH’s efforts include providing halal meals and addressing other specific dietary needs, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the asylum seekers they serve.

Organizations like EVLovesNYC and RaisingHealth are tailoring their food services to meet the unique needs of asylum seekers. EVLovesNYC, a volunteer run nonprofit near the city’s first reticketing center for shelter processing, has incorporated halal meals into its offerings. “Half of the meals we served this week were halal,” says Ann Shields, Communications Director of EVLovesNYC. This adjustment reflects the growing demand for culturally specific options within the asylum seeker community.

Similarly, RaisingHealth emphasizes the importance of designing meals that reflect the dietary requirements and cultural familiarity of their recipients. “The way we design and put together the food itself is tailored to dietary requirements, but also the familiarity of these populations,” explains Hewett Chiu, President and CEO of RaisingHealth. The organization actively engages with asylum seekers to understand their native dishes, favorite foods, and allergies, ensuring that their meal programs are both inclusive and considerate.

Power Malu, Founder of Artists Athletes Activists (AAA), echoes the value of direct engagement. “We talk to them,” he says, describing how his organization learns about guests’ preferences and challenges. “This is how we ensure the cultural preferences and dietary needs of our guests are met, as well as making sure the food is edible for all – something that is not taken into consideration at the city shelters.”

Recognizing that food insecurity often intersects with other challenges, many organizations are integrating their meal programs with broader support services. RaisingHealth pairs its food distribution with nutrition education workshops, mental health support, and other health services. TCAH offers financial literacy workshops and helps eligible families enroll in SNAP benefits, while EVLovesNYC provides food to programs like free clothing distributions and ESL classes.

“It’s a humbling experience to witness mothers, fathers, and young noncitizen migrants joining the food line daily,” says Peters of TCAH. “We are dedicated to supporting them.”

As New York City navigates the complexities of sheltering and feeding tens of thousands of asylum seekers, the contributions of local organizations highlight the importance of a compassionate, community driven response. While challenges remain, these efforts ensure that newly arrived migrants receive not only sustenance but also a sense of dignity and care during a time of immense upheaval.

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