“Celebrating a Milestone: Hochul Honors Veteran Food Program Providing 2 Million Meals and Counting!” | FingerLakes1.com

New York’s “Meals with Meaning: Veteran Feeding Veteran” program recently reached a remarkable milestone by delivering over two million meals to veterans, service members, and their families. Governor Kathy Hochul announced this achievement, highlighting the state’s ongoing fight against food insecurity within the veteran community.

Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative is a partnership involving HelloFresh and several New York state agencies, including the Department of Veterans’ Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. It aims to tackle the significant issue of food insecurity, especially among veterans, who face this challenge at rates twice that of the general population.

Recently, veteran volunteers packed 8,000 meal kits at The Campaign Against Hunger in Brooklyn. Each kit from HelloFresh includes fresh ingredients to prepare eight nutritious meals, which are distributed directly to veterans and their families throughout the state.

Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Viviana DeCohen stated, “Two million meals provided means two million lives touched.” This emphasizes the program’s real impact on the community. HelloFresh’s Senior Vice President Jacob Krempel pointed out that even though they’ve made substantial progress, there is still much work to do to ensure everyone has access to fresh food.

The program supports veterans from all age groups, ranging from 20 to 90 years old, showcasing its broad reach. HelloFresh has pledged to fund this initiative until 2025, indicating a long-term commitment to addressing food insecurity among veterans.

This collaboration between state agencies and private partners serves as a successful model for tackling food insecurity. Assemblymember Steve Stern remarked, “No one who has worn the uniform should face food insecurity. We owe them meaningful support.”

According to a recent study by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, about 25% of veterans struggle with food insecurity. This reinforces the program’s importance and the need for more efforts like it. Initiatives such as “Meals with Meaning” not only provide essential meals but also honor the dedication and sacrifices of those who served their country.

This program stands as a reminder of how community action can create a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Through sustained support, New York is taking significant steps to ensure no veteran faces hunger alone.



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