The San Francisco City Commission has approved six new grant agreements aimed at enhancing nutrition services for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The total funding for these initiatives amounts to $13 million, which includes a 10% contingency. This funding will support essential programs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

Ms. Kearney, who presented the item, emphasized the importance of these grants in addressing food insecurity among vulnerable populations. The selected community partners, including On Lock Day Services and Jewish Family and Children Services, will provide a range of culturally responsive nutrition services. These include home-delivered meals, congregate dining options, and supplemental grocery programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of San Francisco's communities.

On Lock Day Services will deliver approximately 263,000 meals annually, although they will be scaling back operations by closing four meal sites due to funding limitations. Jewish Family and Children Services will provide kosher meals, serving around 8,800 meals to 40 clients, ensuring adherence to dietary customs.

The grant agreements also include programs from Bayview Senior Services and Central Latino, which focus on providing culturally relevant food items to the Black, African American, Samoan, and Latinx communities. These initiatives aim to promote health and independence among food-insecure clients.

Commissioners raised questions about the coverage of these programs across the city, highlighting concerns about potential gaps in service for certain ethnic groups. Ms. Kearney assured them that the services are designed to be citywide and encompass a variety of cuisines, although the current packet only included a limited number of providers.

The unanimous approval of these grants marks a significant step in the city's ongoing efforts to combat hunger and support healthy aging among its most vulnerable residents. The commission plans to provide a comprehensive overview of meal programs in the city to ensure transparency and effective outreach in the future.