“Opening Doors to Food Access” Inauguration Set for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Jamaica Market
JAMAICA, N.Y. (TIP): India Home, A Center for Senior Care, will celebrate the grand opening of its automated Smart Food Pantry and the launch of its first Smart Bites NYC vending machine at an inauguration event on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event, themed “Opening Doors to Food Access,” will take place in the Harvest Room at Jamaica Market, 90-40 160th St, Jamaica, NY 11432.
The new Smart Food Pantry, powered by Zippin, and the Smart Bites NYC vending machine, mark a significant step forward in India Home’s mission to advance food access, dignity, and care for older adults in the community. The automated systems are designed to make nutritious food available in a dignified, low-barrier format, helping seniors and community members access fresh and healthy options according to their schedules.
“This inauguration represents more than the opening of a pantry. It represents a new model for how we care for our communities,” said Mukund Mehta, President of India Home. “By combining smart technology with our commitment to dignity and community care, we’re making sure that access to healthy food is never a barrier for the people we serve.”
“As a geriatric psychiatrist, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as reliable access to healthy food can be the difference between a senior thriving and a senior struggling in isolation,” said Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Executive Director of India Home. “The Smart Food Pantry and Smart Bites NYC vending machine let us meet our seniors’ needs on their own time, with the dignity they deserve.”
The initiative is made possible with the support of GrowNYC, Met Council, F.Y. Eye, Next50 Foundation, and AstraZeneca, whose partnerships have helped bring this expanded model of food access to life.
Members of the media and community are invited to attend the inauguration to see the new Smart Food Pantry and Smart Bites NYC vending machine in action and to learn more about India Home’s ongoing work to support food security among seniors in Queens and across New York City.
Media Contact: Shaaranya Pillai, shaaranya@indiahome.org, (917) 834-7895
About India Home
India Home, A Center for Senior Care, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for South Asian and other immigrant seniors in New York City through culturally sensitive programs, services, and advocacy. India Home’s work spans healthy aging, food security, mental health, and community engagement initiatives designed to help seniors live with dignity and independence.
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