Food Donation Program Helps Feed New Yorkers in Need

By Blake Jackson

New York has reached a major milestone in its effort to redirect surplus food to people in need while reducing the environmental impact of food waste.

During Hunger Action Month, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Feeding New York State, which represents the state’s 10 Feeding America member food banks, has collected 110 million pounds of food through the ongoing implementation of New York’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.

“As the Trump administration cruelly cuts critical food assistance programs across the country, 3 million New Yorkers continue to lack dependable access to food,” said Governor Hochul.

“Working with some of New York's most cherished organizations, from grocery stores to sports venues to colleges to theme parks, today’s milestone represents a collective triumph for New York’s food donation program and affirms our nation-leading work to address food insecurity and feed hungry New Yorkers,” Hochul added.

New York discards an estimated 7.8 billion pounds of food annually, including large amounts of baked goods, fresh produce, meat, shelf-stable products and frozen foods.

Officials say diverting edible food from landfills can both support communities facing food insecurity and reduce emissions associated with food waste.

Under the state law, qualifying businesses and institutions that generate significant amounts of excess food must donate edible surplus and send remaining food scraps for recycling when an organics recycling facility is located within 25 miles.

The program applies to a broad range of food-related operations and is designed to expand recovery efforts across the state.

State funding has also helped increase the amount of food reaching food banks and community organizations. Since 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has provided $10.8 million through the Environmental Protection Fund to Feeding New York State and its 10 regional food banks.

The funding supports employees who work with grocery stores, restaurants, colleges, and other food businesses to increase food donations. It also helps regional food banks purchase vehicles and equipment needed to collect and transport recovered food to food pantries, meal programs and other community partners.

Together, the law and state investments are expanding food recovery while helping New York reduce waste and address food insecurity.

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