CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

What the legislation is:

• CSCS is working to allow senior centers to provide meals at alternative sites around the community such as churches, synagogues, NYCHA sites, NORCs and other places where groups of seniors meet. There would be an increase in the number of congregate meals provided and seniors receiving nutritious meals. It is also a valuable outreach tool that would help seniors connect with the local senior center.
• NYC health regulations require there be an individual at the alternative site with a food handler’s license This could be an unnecessary barrier towards providing meals at a variety of community sites. Each meal would be individually packaged as a home-delivered meal is. The meals would be prepared under the supervision of staff with a food handler’s license in the senior center as is done now.

CSCS is working with City Council for an exemption to NYC Department of Health food handler’s licensing regulations to allow for this expansion of the congregate meal program.

What you can do:

• Contact your Councilmember(s) and ask them to become a co-sponsor of Intro 615, introduced by Councilman James Vacca (Bronx), Chair, Subcommittee on Senior Centers. We’ve attached Intro 615 and a form to be used by the Councilmembers to sign on. Either invite them to the senior center or meet with them in their office.
• It would be helpful to show a sample of a pre-wrapped meal for the Councilmember to see that it will be hot, sanitary and safe. It’s the same pre-wrapped meal a home-delivered meal recipient gets.
• Council Members Vacca, Brewer, Dickens, Gennaro, Gentile, Gerson, Mealy, Stewart and Weprin have already signed on. It is important to thank them. You could invite them to your center to thank them.

The more Councilmembers that become co-sponsors, the more likely this bill will be passed. CSCS and our members can work together to see this important legislation passed. The winner will be seniors around the city who will receive nutritious meals.

If you have any questions, please contact Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565, x226 or bsackman@cscs-ny.org

CSCS – THE POWER OF AGING!

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Int. No. 615

By Council Member Vacca
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to exempting certain religious, fraternal or charitable organizations from food handler’s licensing requirements contained in the health code of the City of New York.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
         Section 1. Legislative Intent. Pursuant to the health code of the City of New York, religious, fraternal and charitable organizations, including senior centers and senior clubs that do not engage in food preparation, must have someone on staff who has obtained a food handler’s license. Such organizations enter into agreements to receive hot meals from other organizations that already have food handler’s licenses and food preparation capabilities. This measure would allow organizations that do not engage in food preparation, to be exempt from requirements mandating the procurement of a food handler’s license. The current health code requirements represent an unnecessary obstacle in providing hot and nutritious meals to some of New York City’s neediest population. The City Council finds that the granting of an exemption from the food handler’s license requirements in such limited circumstances will alleviate an unnecessary burden that many organizations face and will expand the ability of organizations to provide nutritious meals that ultimately improve the health and wellness of New York City’s senior population.
        §2. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-193 to read as follows:
        §17-193. Food Handler’s License Exemption. Any establishment operated by religious, fraternal or charitable organizations, that is open to the public and provides prepared food to the needy free of charge, and does not engage in the actual preparation of food, shall not be subject to any requirements regarding the procurement of a food handler’s license contained in section 81.15 of the health code of the city of New York or any successor provision.
§3. This local law shall take effect thirty days after its enactment into law.

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Legislation Sign On Sheet

To: William Martin, Legislative Documents
Fax: (212) 788-9296

From: Council Member ___________________________


Int. 615
By Council Members Vacca, Brewer, Dickens, Gennaro, Gentile, Gerson, Mealy, Stewart and Weprin
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to exempting certain religious, fraternal or charitable organizations from food handler’s licensing requirements contained in the health code of the City of New York.

Please add my name ______________________________________________to this legislation.

Please print name here

Signature:_____________________________



Date: _________________________________