Who Are the Recipients of Meals-on-Wheels in New York City?: A Profile of Based on a Representative Sample of Meals-on-Wheels Recipients, Part I

Abstract

A number of questions were asked of the recipients of the Meals-on-Wheels program in New York City to ascertain their food preparation methods and their nutrition so that we could better understand the context in which they were receiving the Meals-on-Wheels foods. Included were questions about ownership of food preparation facilities; their comfort with using these facilities; their consumption of fruit, vegetables, and milk per day; the number of non–Meals-on-Wheels meals they consume; and whether they shopped for and prepared non Meals-on-Wheels foods themselves or with assistance from others. Furthermore, recipients were asked to describe their financial situation as it related to food. Recipients’ nutrition and ability to prepare food can be described through their use of the meals, use of non–Meals-on-Wheels food, and their food insecurity.