Food Stories Exhibition At Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital
Stories Of Family Kitchens, Backyard Gardens, Crowded Dinner Tables, And Celebration, Revealing How Deeply Food Carries Identity, Love, And Connection Across Generations.
The Food Stories Campaign brings Coler residents together to share memories of the meals and people that shaped them, over coffee, fresh fruit and pastries donated by local partners. More than 360 residents have taken part, turning these gatherings into moments of connection, healing, and joy. Each individual’s food story is transformed into a digital drawing that feeds a growing archive for resident-led advocacy. With sustainability built into every step, the campaign is working to restore dignity, cultural relevance, and community to the food system at Coler.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler CEO Nataliya Yakovleva and Open Doors Executive Director Vincent Pierce celebrate the Food Stories Exhibition with Artist Kevin Nakagawa, Coler residents, and the food services team managed by Sodexo.
As part of National Skilled Nursing Care Week, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler and Open Doors NYC co-hosted the Food Stories exhibition featuring storytelling from nursing home residents accompanied by large-scale visual works by artist and community organizer Kevin Nakagawa. The artwork collective portrays how food supports cultural continuity, care, and emotional wellbeing within long-term care environments. The event marks the first public presentation of an ongoing resident-focused initiative centered around food, dignity, memory, and community.
The exhibition shares stories gathered from dozens of Coler residents about meals, traditions, gardens, markets, and relationships that have shaped their lives, demonstrating how profoundly food connects us to our homes, communities, and cultures. The sampling menu included traditional Caribbean-inspired meals like Curry Chicken (Trinidad), Pepperpot (Guyana), Sancocho (Dominican), and Cou-Cou and Saltfish (Barbados).
“We are thrilled to support the Food Stories exhibition, highlighting the unique intersection of nostalgic memories and cultural connection. Our goal at Coler is to provide a holistic environment where our residents feel their identities are honored,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Chief Executive Officer Nataliya Yakovleva, LNHA, LMSW. “This initiative allows us to showcase the personal histories of our residents and reaffirm our commitment to person-centered care excellence and community engagement.”
“Seeing this project grow to where it is and what has become has been a total honor for me to help my fellow residents of Coler in Food Justice,” said Open Doors Executive Director Vincent Pierce. “I am looking forward to the future of ‘Food Stories’ by bringing Sunday Dinners to Coler, gathering like family over the dishes we love and making nursing homes feel more like home, because Nursing Home Lives Matter.”
Commissioner Nisha Agarwal (right) from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and Executive Director Kate MacKenzie (left) from the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy (MOFP) present a citation to Open Doors from Mayor Zohran Mamdani to commemorate the event.
“Food helps us connect with one another, with our cultural heritage, and with our community,” said Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “The Food Stories Exhibition uplifts the stories and dishes so beloved by Coler residents. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see the art in person and meet with some of the residents. With more than 70% of Coler residents being wheelchair users, accessibility cuts across so much of what makes Coler so special including access to culturally relevant foods that offer just a little taste of home.”
A tasting of a Caribbean classic Cou-Cou and Saltfish served to guests by Food Service Associates at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler.
“In the heart of a vibrant city like New York, where the cultures blend and flavors collide, our continuous ideation of seasonal menus reflect our commitment to nourishment and inclusivity,” said Philip DeMaiolo, CEC, AAC, Client Executive and Corporate Chef at Sodexo for NYC Health + Hospitals. “We embrace the diversity of our community by crafting the recipes that not only celebrate health but also honor the rich tapestry of culinary traditions that make our city unique.”
“At its core, Coler Food Stories restores visibility to the lives, memories, and cultural histories of residents across long-term care environments. Over months of conversations, residents welcomed me into stories of family kitchens, backyard gardens, and crowded dinner tables, revealing how deeply food carries identity, love, and connection across generations,” said Open Doors Artist Kevin Nakagawa. “The exhibition honors these lived experiences not only as memories of the past, but as knowledge capable of shaping more dignified care in the present. I am deeply grateful to Coler residents for welcoming me into their lives.”
“It was an honor to join skilled nurses, residents, and staff at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler to celebrate their Food Stories Exhibition. Manhattan’s seniors, especially those residing within long-term care environments, deserve to live with dignity,” said Manhattan Deputy Borough President Miesha Smith. “I’m grateful to Kevin Nakagawa and the residents of Coler for contributing such impactful pieces of art, highlighting the intense connection between food, cultural continuity, and emotional wellbeing.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Resident Ramon Medina shares his ‘Food Story’ about Sancocho, a common dish with deep cultural roots in Dominican Republic.
“Our Food Stories Exhibit gives us a voice to share who we are. Bringing the tastes and traditions to this memorable event was very special to me,” said Coler Resident Council President Francene Benjamin. “Our heritage is our strength, and I am thrilled that we can share these meaningful pieces of our hearts with staff, families and friends.”
Learn more about the Coler Open Doors Reality Poets at their website.
