2024 Letter of Gratitude

Dear friends and colleagues - 

As 2024 comes to a close, it is important to mark the moment and acknowledge the progress the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy has made towards enhancing food security for all New Yorkers. This has been made possible with an extraordinary team of talented staff, dedicated colleagues in our City agencies, and of course, partners throughout the City and beyond. Together, we have made significant strides towards improving health and wellbeing, economic opportunity, education, and environmental sustainability through food. 

Here are just a few of our “Best of 2024” in my mind – with even more of our work highlighted on X and Instagram: 

Advanced NYC Food and Climate Impact and Recognition 

• City agencies reduced absolute carbon emissions of food purchased by over 29% and per plate emissions by over 40%, making significant progress toward our goal of reducing food-related carbon emissions 33% by 2030. 
• MOFP released its First Annual Report of its Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge, a private sector initiative that tasks the city's private sector with decreasing their food-related carbon emissions. Over the past year, 18 inaugural signatories have enrolled in the Challenge, publicly committing to reduce food-based carbon emissions by 25% by 2030 through delicious, plant-powered foods. Together, these signatories serve over 21 million meals, and their efforts will divert over 410 million kg CO2e by 2030. 
• During NYC Climate Week 2024, MOFP co-hosted and participated in 12 food and climate events spanning public procurement, private-sector engagement, plant-forward diets, reducing food waste, and fighting chronic disease through food. This demonstrates the interest and importance of NYC’s food and climate focus.  

Culinary Training for Department of Correction, Administration for Children’s Services, and NYC Public Schools Staff 

• With financial support from the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA), MOFP contracted with Hot Bread Kitchen (HBK) to provide culinary training to 90 staff from DOC and ACS specifically focused on the menu creation and preparation of plant-based meals. HBK delivered 120 hours of training to 6 cohorts of NSD staff, introduced 12 new recipes, and upskilled 7 senior chefs to be certified as Trainers to future staff.  
• In the 2023-24 school year, 542 schools received training from Wellness in the Schools, impacting over 2,700 OFNS staff. All New York City public schools will be reached by the end of the 2024-25 school year. 

Progress in Aligning Food and Meal Procurement with Administration Goals 

• MOFP collaborated with Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to introduce a new procurement policy for fresh tomatoes – a Special Tomato Audit – to ensure we are only buying tomatoes from farms with strong labor practices. Now, DCAS is purchasing tomatoes from vendors that require good labor practices at the farm level. 
• Under direction from MOCS and close collaboration with MOFP, DCAS put out its first Best Value Bid for food items on behalf of DOC. Best Value Bids lead to contract awards that optimize quality, cost, efficiency, and equity in the food system.  
• Data completion continues to improve, with approximately 71% of NYC's food purchases being analyzed in FY 23.  
• The City has more than doubled its purchases of plant-based proteins, including legumes, nuts, and seeds, since FY 19. This supports the City’s health and sustainability goals.  
• "New York State Spend" more than doubled since FY 19. This is the total food spend on items that were grown, processed, manufactured, or distributed by businesses in New York State, supporting our local economy. 
• Through reducing purchases of ruminant meats and other animal products, the City has reduced its food-related emissions and land use. 
• MWBE vendors are more deeply engaged in doing business with the City. 
• City agencies have 93% compliance with NYC Food Standards, which requires all agencies to offer one plant-based meal a week. 
• Significant advocacy efforts from MOFP, alongside external partners and SLA, supported the Good Food NY Bill, which passed the New York State Assembly and Senate, but was ultimately vetoed by the Governor. 

Prioritizing Food Education in NYC Public Schools 

• MOFP and NYCPS jointly released its One-Year Progress Report of the Food Education Roadmap.   NYCPS launched its first-ever food education grant program, with 60 schools receiving $660,000 in grants to partner with more than 25 nonprofit organizations. This supported a variety of programming, including food education lessons, cooking, gardening, and family workshops. 1000+ educators participated in food education professional learning sessions.  15+ new plant-based recipes were developed and menued in the 2023-24 school year. $150 million was secured in Capital funding to expand Cafeteria Enhancement Experience (CEE). 542 schools completed WITS culinary training, impacting more than 2700 staff. 

• The food education grant program is continuing for its second year, expanding to 190 schools, which will each receive $6,000.  

Food Pantries and Nutrition Security 

• With MOFP advocacy, the Administration provided $54 million in funding to DSS’s Community Food Connection (CFC), which provides more than 700 food pantries with high quality food for free distribution to people in need. CFC food pantries had 35,256,775 total visits (duplicate count) in FY24 and spent $14,864,752 on fresh food including produce. 
• Similarly bolstered by MOFP advocacy, the Administration provided $10 million in funding for Groceries to Go, and maintained funding for Get the Good Stuff and Health Bucks, programs that help make food more affordable to eligible New Yorkers. 
• The Administration organized to support a strong Farm Bill to protect SNAP and ensure nearly 2 million New Yorkers maintain the benefits to which they are entitled, and our local economy is bolstered with redemptions in local stores.  

Even though 2025 holds a great deal of uncertainty, I know that the City will rise to the occasion and come through even stronger. Our focus is clear, and we will work with our partners here and beyond to ensure food security for all isn’t just protected but is strengthened.  

Best wishes to you and your loved ones. Enjoy a delicious and nourishing holiday season, and I look forward to much more progress in the year ahead.

Warmly,  

Kate