Luminas, LLC

Older adults are a rapidly growing population with complex health and nutritional needs. Between 2011 and 2021, New York’s older adult population increased by 31%, from 2.6 to 3.4 million, and the number of older adults from racial and ethnic minorities—groups with rates of higher food insecurity—has grown faster than the number of white older adults. Research shows that between 8% and 14% of older adults in New York are food insecure and that at least 200,000 are eligible for SNAP benefits but not enrolled. Little information is available about how older adults experience hunger and about their needs and preferences. Experts have expressed a need for better data on food-insecure older adults, especially for those not participating in food access programs (e.g., SNAP, home-delivered and congregate meals). In 2024, NYHealth awarded Luminas, LLC a grant to conduct statewide qualitative research on the needs and experiences of food-insecure older adults. 

Under this grant, Luminas will design and execute a statewide qualitative research project to understand the needs and experiences of food-insecure older adults. NYHealth will partner with Luminas to publish a report that distills findings and recommends practical program and policy actions.