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New York City Department for the Aging Launches Pop-Up Café Program

Café style dining aims to expand access to nutritious food for older New Yorkers

Nutrition and other health promotion opportunities will also take place at the Cafés

New Yorkers need resources, community, and connections to thrive. To support older residents currently not taking part in older adult center’s congregate meals program, the Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) has launched Pop-Up Cafés to help older New Yorkers eat healthier, reduce food insecurity and social isolation, and make more residents aware of the meals they can receive at their local center.

Pop-Up Cafe meals are culturally aligned with the communities in which they are located, while also helping to ensure that participants are eating well-balanced, nutritious meals. The Cafés will be open two days a week, offering a choice of either a hot or cold entrée. Nutrition and other health promotions will also take place at the Cafés, and they will be open for around one-year.

“A healthy and nutritious meal are part of a well-balanced diet, whether you’re a young child still growing or an older adult living your best life,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The Department of Aging helps combat food insecurity by providing older adults with numerous food options, and these new Pop-Up Cafés will bring the food and community experience right to older New Yorkers so they can learn more about what older adult centers offer year-round. Our administration has made access to healthy food and reducing food waste a top priority, and I am proud that we continue to lead the nation on food policy and justice, especially when serving our older adults.”

“In order to effectively reduce food insecurity among New York’s diverse older adults, we need to be present in the communities where they live, and these Pop-Up Cafés will help bring our services directly to them and support their ability to age-in-place” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “These gatherings also provide opportunities for older residents to socialize over a nutritious meal. While we learn about their tastes and preferences, it will help us ensure that the growing number of older adults who call the city home are receiving the supports they need to continue living in their communities. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this program and encourage residents to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.”

“The Pop-Up Cafés are an innovative approach to bringing healthy meals to older adults in New York City with limited access to options. Not only do they offer education on nutrition and delicious meals, they also promote socialization, thereby enhancing the physical and emotional health of participating older adults” said Dr. Manoj Pardasani, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Hunter College.

“In cultivating Pop-Up Cafés, we're not just nourishing bodies, but fostering community and connection, ensuring that no older adult is left behind in the journey towards wellness and inclusion” said Mohammad Razvi, CEO of Council of Peoples' Organization.

“The Pop-Up Cafés are becoming a vibrant community hub to new, isolated and underserved older adults, creating a space to enjoy nutritious meals, drink coffee, listen to music, and socialize, connecting and expanding existing older adult center services for the enhancement of their physical and mental wellbeing. KCS is looking forward to seeing how this new concept of meal services could be applicable to future aging services and the impact that it will have on the overall wellbeing of the older adult community” said Helen Ahn, Senior Director, KCS Older Adult Centers, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS).

“We at SHOPP are thrilled to be part of the NYC Aging initiative, Pop-Up Cafes. This innovative approach not only enhances access to nutritious meals for older adults but also fosters a sense of community and inclusivity. We are proud to collaborate with NYC Aging and other partners to improve the well-being of older New Yorkers.” Diana Delgado, Chief Program Officer Neighborhood SHOPP

This spring NYC Aging has already launched two Cafés with 16 more opening in the coming years. The sites were selected based on communities identified as food insecure, residents’ income levels, and limited access to culturally appropriate and affordable food options. Hunter College will conduct research to determine the effectiveness of the program. The program was made possible by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services grant, which supports older adult centers in identifying the needs of the growing population of older New Yorkers.

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About The Department for the Aging

The Department for the Aging’s (NYC Aging) mission is to eliminate ageism and create a community-care approach that allows residents to continue to access the programs and resources for their physical and mental well-being. Through a network of over 300 older adult centers and naturally occurring retirement communities, support and services are provided that allow the nearly 1.8 older New Yorkers to continue living independently in their communities.

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $943,817 with 75% funded by ACL/HHS and $317,000 and 25% funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.