"The sad reality is that kosher and halal emergency food in New York is underfunded," said David Greenfield, chief executive of the Metropolitan Commission. "Simply put, this means that many Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers have to choose between their faith and putting much-needed food on the table."

A new report released by the organization on Tuesday found that the city's food distribution program launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for kosher and halal meals. According to data compiled by the Metropolitan Council, as many as 27 million meals — 21% of the 128.7 million meals planned to be distributed by GetFoodNYC since March 2020 — are either kosher or halal.

But the council warned that demand may be higher than expected because many Jewish and Muslim families opt out of the program because it does not meet halal or Jewish certification regulations, or the delivery date does not match the Sabbath and other holidays. A 2011 survey showed that most Orthodox families in Brooklyn had incomes of less than $50,000.

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The Metropolitan Commission also pointed out that the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) has a very limited number of suppliers with expertise in providing food in accordance with religious dietary requirements.

The report recommends that local and federal legislators amend food-related laws to make it easier to pay for food that meets the needs of devout religious people, and designate funds to meet actual statewide demand for emergency kosher and halal food.

"We know that the demand for kosher and halal food will only increase, and now is the time to prepare," Greenfield said.

Jacob Kornbluh is a senior political reporter at the forward. Follow him on Twitter @jacobkornbluh or send an email to kornbluh@forward.com.

Metropolitan Council: Kosher and halal food needs more funding

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