Summary:

Councilmember Julie Won accuses NYC's Department of Homeless Services of mismanagement leading to significant food waste at migrant shelters.
Migrant shelter residents report receiving moldy, foul-smelling, and frozen food, leading to large amounts of uneaten food being discarded.
Healthy Heart Food Service, a vendor with over $22 million in contracts, faces criticism over food quality and lack of quality control.
A proposed bill aims to quantify food waste in shelters to improve accountability and address taxpayer concerns.
The city's Department of Homeless Services maintains its commitment to food safety, but ongoing complaints persist.

NYC Migrant Shelter Food Waste: A Growing Concern

A New York City Councilmember has raised serious concerns about food waste and quality issues at the city's migrant shelters. Councilmember Julie Won claims that taxpayer dollars are being wasted due to poor food management, citing reports of moldy sandwiches, foul-smelling meals, and partially frozen food being served to shelter residents.

Shocking Accounts from Shelter Residents

Migrants at a Long Island City shelter have documented their experiences with substandard food, with one mother, Darlin Feliz, stating the food makes her children cry. She and others report regularly discarding large amounts of uneaten food.

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Vendor Under Fire

Much of the criticism is directed at Healthy Heart Food Service, a vendor with over $22 million in contracts with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). While the company defends its food quality and procedures, Councilmember Won argues that there's a lack of quality control, leading to significant waste. The CEO declined an interview request but issued a statement expressing commitment to quality and open communication.

City's Response & Ongoing Investigation

The DHS acknowledges the influx of asylum seekers and the challenges of providing services, emphasizing their commitment to food safety and compliance with NYC standards. They also stated that they are in contact with elected officials and address concerns as they arise. However, the ongoing complaints and the push for a bill to quantify food waste suggest the issues are far from resolved. The city's previous $400 million contract with DocGo also faced similar complaints before their contract ended in April.

The Fight for Accountability Continues

Councilmember Won's efforts to pass a bill to track food waste in shelters highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is spent on crucial services for vulnerable populations.

Source: CBS News