New York City homeless shelter residents criticize food quality

New York City homeless shelters are offering moldy and rotten food to residents, according to testimony at a City Council hearing, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The push to address food concerns began when several residents at the Auburn Family Reception Center at Fort Greene said they became sick after being served expired chicken salad last month. Sally Sherman Food provided the meals, which had an initial expiration date of Sep. 20 that was covered with a new label marking the date as Oct. 31. Earlier this month, four of the residents came forward threatening an $8 million lawsuit against the city.

Feeding people safely in a shelter is a basic act of care for neighbors who depend on it (Matthew 25:35).

Fabienne Laraque, the medical director for the Department of Homeless Services, said at the Thursday hearing that those meals had tested “negative for bacteria pathogens.” The city has since stopped working with the food vendor. Laraque noted that the department performs semi-annual food inspections at each of its shelters and those contracted out.

The food issues raised at the hearing are not limited to quality. A shelter resident said she asked for a halal or kosher meal during Ramadan and was met with laughter from staff at one HELP USA shelter. The city Department of Homeless Services requires religious accommodation for meals.

Source: Read the original report