Res. No. 233
Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign into law the Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2013 (S.811/H.R.1794), which would provide for the increased availability of Kosher and Halal food at food banks and modify the labeling of the commodities list to enable Kosher and Halal food bank operators to identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks.
By Council Members Lander, Deutsch, Gentile, Levine, Chin, Eugene, King, Mendez, Richards, Koslowitz, Kallos, Miller, Levin, Menchaca and Ulrich.
Whereas, According to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty and the Council of Peoples Organization, an estimated 330,000 Jewish households in New York City and 300,000 Muslim households in the tri-state area live in poverty; and
Whereas, Due to the dietary requirements of their faith, many families are unable to rely on food pantries participating in the United Stated Department of Agriculture's Emergency Food Assistance Program to feed their families; and
Whereas, After Hurricane Sandy, nonprofits had to step in to ensure Kosher and Halal options were available in the hardest-hit communities; and
Whereas, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY) introduced the Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2013 (S.811/H.R.1794) to address this shortage of food options; and
Whereas, The legislation amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 by requiring the United States Secretary of Agriculture to finalize and implement a plan to increase the purchase of food from manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal certification if the Kosher and Halal food purchased is cost neutral as compared to food that is not from food manufacturers with such certification; and
Whereas, The Kosher and Halal Food Act also requires the implementation of a plan to modify the labeling of the commodities list used to carry out the Emergency Food Assistance Program in a manner that enables Kosher and Halal food bank operators to identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks; and
Whereas, This legislation would increase the supply of Kosher and Halal food for food pantries to ensure families do not have to choose between sacrificing their faith or going hungry; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign into law the Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2013 (S.811/H.R.1794), which would provide for the increased availability of Kosher and Halal food at food banks and modify the labeling of the commodities list to enable Kosher and Halal food bank operators to identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks.
PD 1/24/14
Res. No. 2039/2013
LS#329/2014