Food insecurity persists among New York City's aging population

A recent study has revealed that nearly half of older adults in New York City have experienced food insecurity in the past year. The study, conducted by Citymeals on Wheels and the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, surveyed 500 older New Yorkers about their access to food. The results highlighted persistent hunger among New York's aging population.

The study found that 48% of respondents had experienced some level of food insecurity, including worrying about running out of food before receiving more money or facing physical or psychological barriers that prevented them from going shopping or cook for themselves. Survey participants were over the age of 60, with 65% of them living on $15,000 a year or less, which is just 20% of New York City's median household income.

In addition to financial constraints, the study also revealed a mental health problem among New York City's aging population. 45% of respondents said they do not have friends or family who can provide them with at least one meal a day, and 82% said they have never used mental health services. Social isolation, lack of internet access and feelings of loneliness were also reported as important concerns.

The study also found that while 56 percent of respondents receive cash assistance for groceries through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), 34 percent said those benefits were not enough to meet their needs. This highlights the precarious financial situation of many older adults, who are often caught between earning too much for benefits and too little to sustain themselves financially.

The cost of eating out, which has risen according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is another burden for cash-strapped New Yorkers who may find it easier to grab a quick meal than cook at home. In fact, 41% of respondents said they can only sometimes or never buy groceries, and 15% said they are unable to cook for themselves, citing physical and mental difficulties.

In New York City, there are nearly 1.8 million people age 60 and older. These findings underscore the urgent need for more effective support systems and services for this vulnerable population.