1

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS TO 

DRIVE SENIOR NUTRITION

COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

MONDAY AUGUST 31, 2020
OPENING REMARKS
LORRAINE CORTES-VAZQUEZ

COMMISSIONER

NYC DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING
REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP & PARTNERSHIP IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

LORRAINE CORTÉS-VÁZQUEZ, COMMISSIONER

August 31, 2020

@NRCNA_engAging
@NRCNA_engAging

INTRODUCTION: NYC DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING

New York City is home to approximately 1.64 million older adults, and the 

Department for the Aging (DFTA) is committed to helping them age in their homes 

and communities

5
@NRCNA_engAging

INTRODUCTION: NYC DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING

6

DFTA’s mission is to eliminate ageism and ensure the dignity and 

quality of life of diverse older adults.

Food Insecurity Goals:

• Help older adults navigate the new

centralized food delivery system.

• Address food insecurity, and support

health and wellbeing (daily contact,

lifelong learning).
@NRCNA_engAging

OVERVIEW: AGING IN NEW YORK CITY

7

Source: Age-Friendly New York City https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dfta/downloads/pdf/publications/AgeFriendlyNYC2017.pdf
@NRCNA_engAging

GEOGRAPHY OF AGING IN NEW YORK CITY

New York City’s seniors live in all corners of the five boroughs. 

The number of New Yorkers over 65 years of age has grown in 

each borough over the past 10 years, particularly in Manhattan.

8

Aging with Dignity: Blueprint for Serving NYC’s Growing Senior Population, 2015. Source: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/wpcontent/uploads/documents/Aging_with_Dignity_A_Blueprint_for_Serving_NYC_Growing_Senior_Population.pdf
@NRCNA_engAging

FOOD INSECURITY

On March 15, a stay-at-home order was issued for 

older adults.

• DFTA transitioned from congregate on-site

meals to “Grab & Go” to centralized food

delivery system.

– March 15 – April 30: 1.2+ million meals

delivered (> 75% increase) in partnership with

senior centers & other contracted

organizations

– DFTA went from serving 24,000 to scaling up

to serve 44,000 meals*

• Transitioned from DFTA to GetFoodNYC, the

City’s emergency food distribution initiative.

9
@NRCNA_engAging

FOOD INSECURITY CONTINUED

Increased demand for home delivered 

meals

– Pre-COVID: 18,000 meals delivered on

any given weekday

– During COVID: more than 22,000

caseload

– April (height of the City’s pandemic):

HDM waitlist stood at 290 individuals (4

of 21 contractors had a waitlist of > 50

people)

10
@NRCNA_engAging

DFTA ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19

Combatting Social Isolation

• Mid-March - June: Average of >7,000 clients/day

received wellness calls

– Today, about 10,000 clients/day receive these

calls.

– Referrals made to elder abuse programs, Friendly

Visiting, meals programs, mental health services,

and possible housing resources.

• DFTA launched a public outreach campaign to increase

awareness and referrals about Social Isolation and

Friendly Visiting.

– Radio PSA was Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda

aired in local radio stations.

11
@NRCNA_engAging

PSA VOICED BY LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

Click On Image to Hear 

Audio

12
@NRCNA_engAging

DFTA ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19

• Virtual programming

– About 171 DFTA providers offer

creative aging, engagement, and

educational activities (e.g., fitness

and exercise classes, arts & crafts

workshops, comedy workshops)

– Over the phone and through video

platforms like Zoom

13

• Free tablet program – partnership with OATS, T-Mobile, NYCHA

• Aging Connect – a contact center for resources, services, and volunteer

opportunities

• Case Management Program by phone consultation

• Geriatric Mental Health clinicians provide services virtually or by phone
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS: DFTA PHILOSOPHY

Strategic partnership remains central to work that DFTA does.

• NYC Diverse Communities: Committed to

providing services in the most culturally and

linguistically competent manner

o Minority and Women-Owned Business

Enterprises

o Access to language translation

o Priority to underserved populations

• “Partnering for Excellence” in HDM 2020 RFP

14
@NRCNA_engAging

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

• DFTA-funded CBO providers

• City Agencies

– Mayor’s Office Food Czar

(GetFoodNYC)

– DOHMH, PEU

– Celebrities: Lin-Manuel Miranda

• Technology: OATS, T-Mobile

15
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP PIVOTS

• Establishment of stay at home orders

• Transition to grab & go to direct delivery

– Partnerships to ensure provision of multiethnic meals including Kosher, Indian, pan

Asian, and Latino foods

– Updates to the senior nutrition services

contracting process to ensure greater

flexibility allowing service providers to offer

the services where and the format most

needed by local communities.

• Coordination with the Mayor’s Office of the Food

Czar

– CBOs’ authorized enrollers

16
@NRCNA_engAging

THE ROAD AHEAD: SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES

• Food Insecurity: Delivery of Meals

– Reformed HDM Implementation: diversity,

partnerships

– Launch HDM app: quality assurance for

delivery system

• Food Insecurity: Return to Congregate Meals

– Masks/PPEs; Proper social distancing

– Guidance of local/state DOH and other experts

17

• Virtual Programming: State of the art technology used across entire network; seek

collaborative efforts with other CBOs.

• Case Assistance: Ensure connections to important benefits, nutrition resources,

health (physical & mental) needs, and access to medication

• Social Isolation: All of the above elements impact and help combat social isolation.
@NRCNA_engAging

THE ROAD AHEAD: SENIOR CENTERS OF THE FUTURE

• Food Insecurity

– Produce culturally diverse meals: lower-income neighborhoods, minorities largely

negatively impacted by the pandemic

– Tap into CBO Capacity: Experience and knowledge of older adults and local

communities. Address economic development and ensure sustainability thru local

catering or procurement of produce/food.

• Maximize development of virtual programming: Broaden access and connection; increase

older adults’ access to better infrastructure (hardware & internet); and increase training.

• Case Assistance: Ensure staff and CBOs have robust connections and good knowledge base

in order to effectively connect clients.

• Unaffiliated Population: Opportunity to connect with previously unknown older New

Yorkers in the community. Grow client base, help them be more connected to services.

18
THANK YOU

19
DAVID CURTIN

FOUNDER & CEO

FOOD FOREST
@NRCNA_engAging

FOOD FOREST (CINCINNATI, OH)

DAVID CURTIN | FOUNDER AND CEO

8/31/2020
@NRCNA_engAging

OUR ORGANIZATION

Mission: Make fresh food accessible for everyone.

22
@NRCNA_engAging

MY BACKGROUND

23

David Curtin 

Founder and CEO

Previously led finance for Kroger Digital and help build 15+ 

eCommerce businesses within Kroger with business models including 

Curbside, Delivery, Shipping, Drop shipping and more. Specializes in 

multi-channel fulfillment and multi-modal grocery experiences.
@NRCNA_engAging

OUR COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

24

Partnership: Make groceries more accessible for seniors.

Other Partners and Sponsors
@NRCNA_engAging

OUR COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

Partnership: Make groceries more accessible for seniors.

25

Other Partners and Sponsors
@NRCNA_engAging

WHAT WE DO

Multi-Channel Grocery Platform

26

SELL WORK SHOP

2

4

3

6

5
THE FOOD FOREST

COVID-19 JOURNEY
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 JOURNEY

28

June

2018

Left Kroger to build a solution

Kroger closed a store in Walnut Hills of 

Cincinnati, OH. Partnered with the Walnut 

Hills Redevelopment Foundation to pilot the 

Food Forest App.

May

SNAP Approved & Pilot Launch

Free pickup / delivery 2X a week. Partnered

2019

with Produce Perks to offer a dollar for 

dollar match on fresh fruits and vegetables
@NRCNA_engAging 29

COVID-19 JOURNEY

September

2019

Farmers Market Partnership

Began building out white-labeling 

capabilities. Allows you to partner with 

trusted brands and organizations.

January

2020 20

Businesses

Over 1,000 Users

20+ small businesses all teaming up on 

deliveries and selling their products on the 

same store front, unlocking fulfillment 

efficiencies and synergies.
@NRCNA_engAging 30

COVID-19 JOURNEY

September

2019

Farmers Market Partnership

Began building out white-labeling 

capabilities. Allows you to partner with 

trusted brands and organizations.

January

2020 20

Businesses

Over 1,000 Users

20+ small businesses all teaming up on 

deliveries and selling their products on the 

same store front, unlocking fulfillment 

efficiencies and synergies.

March 15th, 2020 – Covid-19 panic buying begins
@NRCNA_engAging 31

COVID-19 JOURNEY

+1000% increase in orders and accounts created

April

2020

Seniors Need Grocery Access

Food Forest and Meals on Wheels of 

Southwest OH & Northern Kentucky partner

to build an MVP experience for seniors

June

2020

NKADD Council on Aging

Just because you don’t use a smart phone 

doesn’t mean you can’t get your groceries 

delivered. Partnered with NKADD to 

expand the service by ordering through 

caretakers.
@NRCNA_engAging

PHASE I

32
@NRCNA_engAging

METRICS TO DATE

5,000+

PEOPLE SERVED

Since June of 2019
@NRCNA_engAging

METRICS TO DATE

$1.2m / yr.

Annualized GMV

+$400k / yr.

Seniors & High Need

33% of transactions via EBT 

or to targeted impact areas.
@NRCNA_engAging

METRICS TO DATE

$1.2m / yr.

Annualized GMV

+$800k / yr.

To Local Businesses

27% of items grown locally, 36% 

of items from small businesses
COVID-19 PARTNERSHIPS & ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS

SYNERGIES, EXPERTISE & TRUST
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS – THE VALUE CHAIN

37

2

4

3

6

5

SYNERGIES EXPERTISE TRUST
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS – THE VALUE CHAIN

38

2

4

3

6

5

SYNERGIES EXPERTISE TRUST
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS

SYNERGIES

The whole is greater than 

the sum of its parts.
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

Small & Local Businesses

Allows small businesses to reach customers that 

previously would have considered unreachable. 
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

Online Ordering Integration

Leverage a robust supply-chain and digital 

infrastructure to for online fulfillment.
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

Last Mile Infrastructure

Leverage robust supply chain and last mile 

infrastructure to reach more seniors.
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS – THE VALUE CHAIN

43

2

4

3

6

5

SYNERGIES EXPERTISE TRUST
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS

EXPERTISE

What can you do that others can’t?
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

Specialized Expertise

Specialized partners can pack a punch in very 

specific areas. Produce Perks is a leader in 

nutrition and nutrition incentive programming.
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS – THE VALUE CHAIN

46

2

4

3

6

5

SYNERGIES EXPERTISE TRUST
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS

TRUST

Loyalty and trust are the 

great accelerators.
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

80+ Years of Experience

“Our roots trace back to 1937 when we opened 

Wesley House, a home for low-income seniors”
@NRCNA_engAging

COVID-19 PARTNERSHIP

Trusted Services

Experienced service provider allows us to 

explore more creative online ordering methods. 
@NRCNA_engAging

ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS: FOOD FOREST PHILOSOPHY

Our Partnership Philosophy

Synergies made it affordable, expertise made 

it compelling, and trust was the accelerator.

SYNERGIES EXPERTISE TRUST
THE ROAD AHEAD

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
@NRCNA_engAging

THE ROAD AHEAD: PHASED APPROACH

52

Launch MVP

(Completed)

Phase #1

10,000 grocery items

free next day delivery

T,W,R,F 5:00-7:00pm

Measurements &

Enhancements

Phase #2

enhance the experience

add meals to the catalog

team up on deliveries

Expand 

Partnerships

Phase #3

turn-key setup

centralized support
@NRCNA_engAging

CONTACT / Q&A

53

David Curtin

Founder & CEO Food Forest

E: David@foodforest.co

david-curtin-0b834025

Web: www.foodforest.app

Social: @FoodForestApp
BREAK UNTIL 12:30PM
@NRCNA_engAging

INTRODUCTION TO THE NRCNA

Hosted by: Meals on Wheels America

Funded by: Administration for Community Living
HOW CAN THE NRCNA HELP YOU?
@NRCNA_engAging

WHAT DOES THE NRCNA OFFER?

Training | Technical Assistance | Reports | Research 

Areas of focus:

• Nutrition, Health and Aging

• Food Service and Operations

• Smart Business

• Business acumen

• Sustainability

• Social entrepreneurship
@NRCNA_engAging

RESOURCES AVAILABLE 24/7/365

• Easy access to resources, research, tools

and training.

• Contemporary and responsive resource

on all desktop and mobile devices

Visit: https://nutritionandaging.org/
HELPFUL RESOURCES JUST FOR YOU
@NRCNA_engAging

REPORTS, TOOLKITS, AND WHITE PAPERS

60
@NRCNA_engAging

NEW RESOURCES FOR YOU IN 2020

Visit: https://nutritionandaging.org/issue-briefs-white-papers/
KEY RESOURCES FOR YOU
@NRCNA_engAging

INNOVATIONS IN NUTRITION PROGRAMS & SERVICES HUB

63

Visit: https://nutritionandaging.org/innovation-services-hub/
@NRCNA_engAging

SENIOR NUTRITION PROMISING PRACTICES HUB

64

Learn More and Visit: https://nutritionandaging.org/promising-practices-hub/
@NRCNA_engAging

FUTURE OF CONGREGATE

Learn More & Visit: www.nutritionandaging.org/futureofcongregate
BREAK UNTIL 12:30PM

POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS TO 

DRIVE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM 

COVID-19 RECOVERY AND RESPONSE
FACILITATED CONVERSATION
@NRCNA_engAging

FACILITATED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Trust is the basis for great partnerships. What suggestions might you have during

these challenging times to build and sustain the trust that is needed for

successful strategic partnerships?

2. Share an example of the strategies your organization used to work through the

challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic with strategic partners.

3. If an organization represented by an attendee was seeking to work with your

organization, what information would they need to show, have at the ready, to

secure buy-in, to advance a strategic partnership?

68
@NRCNA_engAging

FACILITATED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - CONTINUED

4. What inventive, non-traditional ways to leverage technology solutions, would you like

to see created in the near future to address systematic needs that senior nutrition

programs have?

5. Thinking of a partnership model for the virtual senior nutrition program of the future,

what aspects must be considered/put in place so that vulnerable clients (those at risk

of being excluded due to the digital divide) are engaged and not left behind?

6. Looking ahead, what gives you the most hope as we move into the rest of the year in

2021 – as frontline providers continue to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic?

69
Q &A
@NRCNA_engAging

LOOKING AHEAD TO SEPTEMBER

• We invite you reflect on the ideas and inspiration gleaned from today’s event and join

us in a few weeks for 4-part webinar series: Mapping Your Partnership Assets:

71
WHAT’S NEXT?

3:00 P.M. TO 3:45 P.M. EDT – LEADING DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC: 

LESSONS THAT WILL SHAPE OUR FUTURE

PRESENTER: Lance Robertson, Administration for Community Living (ACL) 

Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging

MODERATOR: Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America 

72
@NRCNA_engAging

THANK YOU & SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

@NRCNA_engAging

www.nutritionandaging.org

73