Mayor Adams and Veterans' Services Commissioner Hendon Announce 2 Million Meal Milestone Through Public-Private Partnership With New York State and HelloFresh

April 9, 2025

Department of Veterans’ Services Has Played a Key Role in Distributing Free Meals from HelloFresh to Hundreds of Veterans Across City Over Last Five Years  

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon today announced a milestone of the “Meals with Meaning: Veterans Feeding Veterans” initiative, with the distribution of more than 2 million meals to New York City veterans since the program began five years ago. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of HelloFresh, this effort has effectively addressed food insecurity among veterans and miliary service members by providing them with free healthy meal options.   First initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative has grown into a robust public-private partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Services, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Cazar Logistics, The Campaign Against Hunger, Pratt Industries, Black Veterans for Social Justice, and other local nonprofit partners. The Department of Veterans’ Services plays a key operational role in supporting the program by coordinating food distribution logistics across several partner organizations to ensure the timely delivery of meals throughout the community.   

“I know what it’s like to grow up in a household where every meal mattered. My mother made miracles happen with limited resources, just like many veteran families are doing today,” said Mayor Adams. “That’s why this initiative means so much to me. With ‘Meals with Meaning: Veterans Feeding Veterans,’ we’re not just delivering food — we’re delivering dignity, stability, and care to those who put everything on the line for this country. Two million meals is no small thing — it’s a promise kept to those who have and continue to sacrifice so much for our freedoms as Americans and New Yorkers.” 

“Our agency is proud to support this exceptional effort, which puts fresh food on the tables of our military and veteran families in need,” said Veterans’ Services Commissioner Hendon. There is no community more deserving of this vital resource, and the Department of Veterans’ Services is proud to remain a steadfast partner in this strategic cross-sector collaboration. Together, the city, state, and numerous partners have worked tirelessly to sustain this impactful initiative, all thanks to the profound generosity of HelloFresh. Today, we celebrate a monumental milestone that serves a testament to the power of strategic collaboration — the distribution of our 2-millionth meal. The Department of Veterans’ Services looks forward to remaining a key partner in this initiative as we continue to ensure veterans have access to healthy, nourishing meals.”  

 “Behind every one of these two million meals is a Veteran or Military Family who knows they are not forgotten. Meals with Meaning is about more than nutrition — it is about community, compassion, and making a positive difference for our Veterans,” said Viviana DeCohen, commissioner, New York State Department of Veterans’ Services. “This program shows what is possible when we work together across sectors to honor service through support. I am grateful to Governor Hochul, HelloFresh, our city partners, and the community organizations that have made the realization of this incredible milestone possible.” 

“At HelloFresh, we believe everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious meals — especially those who’ve served our country. This milestone reflects what’s possible when strong partnerships take root,” said Jacob Krempel, senior vice president of procurement, HelloFresh. “Working with the Department of Veterans’ Services, The Campaign Against Hunger, and community organizations, we’re proud to help deliver real support to veterans and military families across the city.” 

“Reaching the 2 million milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration and purpose,” said Rudy Cazres, CEO, Cazar Logistics. “Through our partnership with HelloFresh, the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, Amazon Local Good, and The Campaign Against Hinger, Cazar Logistics has been honored to help deliver fresh meals and hope to communities across New York City.”  

Veterans and military families face food insecurity at twice the rate of the general public, making this program all the more crucial by providing a resource for those who bravely served the country. Proper nutrition helps veterans maintain a healthy lifestyle, recover from the challenges of military life, and reintegrate into civilian society with greater ease.   

Every week in East New York, Brooklyn, volunteers from across the city pack and assemble 2,000 HelloFresh meal kits at The Campaign Against Hunger warehouse through the operational assistance of the Department of Veterans’ Services. HelloFresh has generously committed to funding the program through 2025, ensuring continued support for the New York City veteran community. The Department of Veterans’ Services looks forward to remaining a crucial operating partner for the full duration of this programmatic effort.  

The Department of Veterans’ Services’ mission is to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City’s veteran community to foster purpose-driven lives for U.S. military service members — past and present — in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. The department assists New York City’s veteran community members on issues that include, but are not limited to employment, housing, food security, wellbeing, benefits, culture, and targeted advocacy. For more information about the Department of Veterans’ Services, New Yorkers can visit the Department of Veterans’ Services’ website, call (212) 416-5250, email connect@veterans.nyc.gov, or follow the agency on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.   

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