IMPROVING FOOD SERVICE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS BEING HOUSED IN NYC SHELTERS

Rethink Food is a New York-based nonprofit that works with local
restaurants on a variety of programs to create a more sustainable and
equitable food system. In early 2023, Rethink Food entered a contract
with New York City to partner with local restaurants to provide
meals to asylum seekers being housed in temporary shelters. Rethink
Food enlisted the Capstone team to evaluate its evolving emergency
food service response program and offer recommendations to help
the program meet its goals of providing high-quality, culturally
sensitive meals to New York’s newest residents. As part of its
program evaluation, the team visited multiple shelter sites and
kitchens and conducted dozens of interviews with Rethink Food staff,
restaurant partners, board members, industry experts, and asylum
seekers. The team produced a report for Rethink Food and delivered
a presentation to the organization’s entire staff, sharing findings and
offering recommendations for the future.