Food and Nutrition Program
The Food and Nutrition Services program at Harlem United is a Ryan White funded program and is a component of Harlem United’s integrated approach to providing HIV/AIDS care to people living in Harlem and the Bronx. The FNS program provides comprehensive nutritional services that include nutrition education in a group setting and individual level nutrition counseling, as well as a hot, balanced evening meal. Metrocards are provided to individuals to get home after program services as well as to return the next evening
Harlem United ‘s FNS program is the only AIDS service provider North of 96th Street in New York, that provides Nutritional services 5 evenings a week. This service has become an integral part of clients’ lives that live in Manhattan and the Bronx, most of whom live in Single Room Occupancy hotels that lack proper cooking facilities. The nutritionally balanced meals, in some cases, are the only meal some clients have during the course of the day. A typical meal is made up of a baked meat (chicken), steamed vegetable (broccoli) and Starch (rice), with a side order of whole wheat bread, fruit juice, and carrot cake (dessert). Fresh fruit is served before dinner.
Client participation in FNS services has been a major success, Read more.
Facts
The FNS program provides services for 254 clients and serves over 9000 meals in a year. A survey of clients in our program indicated that 75% of participants receive food stamps, with a number of these clients receiving as little as $10.00 a month in food stamp assistance.
