Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the continued success of an initiative to distribute meals to New York’s veterans, service members and their families through a partnership between the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services and HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit delivery company. Initiated to combat food insecurity that was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership builds on the successful Nourish New York initiative, a multi-agency effort to reduce food insecurity and support food producers across the state. More than 1.4 million healthy meals have been distributed since the program began, including thousands of meal kits for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Our veterans, service members and their families have sacrificed for our nation and the State of New York will forever be thankful for their service,” Governor Hochul said. “This partnership works to reduce food insecurity for those who have served us, while supporting the food producer industry across the state.”
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen said, “Through the ‘Veterans Feeding Veterans’ initiative, HelloFresh’s generosity has been a beacon of hope for our veterans and military families. This collaboration not only provides nourishment but also a sense of care and appreciation during the Thanksgiving holiday. The support from HelloFresh, Amazon, the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, Black Veterans for Social Justice, The Campaign Against Hunger, and all partner organizations underscores the collective dedication to our veterans’ well-being. We are grateful for this ongoing partnership that continues to make a profound impact on those who have served our country.”
For Thanksgiving this year, HelloFresh donated 1,300 turkeys, 1,000 additional meal kits containing sweet potatoes, white potatoes, broccoli, and cranberries, and 1,000 chicken meal kits. With coordination assistance provided by the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, these kits were delivered to more than a dozen organizations for distribution to veterans and military families to enjoy for the Thanksgiving holiday. Amazon, Inc. affiliates veteran-owned Cazares Logistics and Twin Woods Transportation also donated their services to assist in the delivery of these meal kits.
HelloFresh and New York State began the “Veterans Feeding Veterans” initiative in June 2020. Veterans and military families face food insecurity at twice the rate of the general public and during COVID-19, this impact became even greater as many could not leave their homes due to vulnerable health. The program provided a lifeline for veterans in New York City, the North Country and Western New York.
Each week in New York City, volunteers with Black Veterans for Social Justice and The Campaign Against Hunger pack and assemble free HelloFresh meal kits for veterans, service members and their families who are facing food insecurity. The meal kits are packed at The Campaign Against Hunger’s headquarters and distributed with the weekly organizational assistance of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services.
New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James W. Hendon said, “Our agency is proud to support this exceptional public-private partnership, which fosters camaraderie among our dedicated volunteers and puts smiles on the faces of all our Military and Veteran families. Through the weekly distribution of HelloFresh healthy food kits, as well as, the generous Thanksgiving bounty of turkey and seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, we work to ensure no Military Service Member of Veteran experiences food insecurity on one of America’s most cherished holidays.”
About the Department of Veterans’ Services
The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, which has served as the state’s advocacy agency for veterans, service members, and military families since 1945, maintains an agencywide commitment of serving all veterans, service members, and military families in a wide range of practice areas, including claims and appeals for benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, discharge upgrade appeals to the United States Department of Defense, and claims for New York State benefits. Veterans, service members, and military families are encouraged to contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or its website to meet — in person or virtually — with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to address their needs and gain the full measure of benefits that they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services
About the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services’ mission is to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City’s Veteran community to foster purpose-driven lives for US Military Service Members—past and present—in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. We assist NYC Veteran community members on issues that include, but are not limited to:employment, housing, food security, wellbeing, benefits, culture, and targeted advocacy. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/vets, call (212) 416-5250, email [email protected] or follow us on social media @nycveterans.
About HelloFresh
HelloFresh is the world’s leading meal-kit company and operates across 18 international markets. In 2021, HelloFresh delivered more than 450 million meals to customers across the U.S. With a focus on helping Americans eat more sustainably, HelloFresh is the first carbon neutral meal-kit company. HelloFresh was named America’s Best Customer Service for Meal Kits in 2020 and voted the Most Trusted Meal Kit Delivery Service in America in 2021 and 2022 by Newsweek. HelloFresh was founded in Berlin in November 2011 and has U.S. offices in New York, Chicago, and Boulder.