New York Invests $65M to Fight Food Insecurity

By Blake Jackson

Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency and introduced new measures to combat the impending loss of food assistance for three million New Yorkers.

This action follows the Trump administration’s decision to withhold billions in federal contingency funds, which would have provided vital support to states amid the ongoing GOP-led federal government shutdown. Without this funding, millions of residents risk losing the assistance they depend on to feed their families starting November 1.

In response, Governor Hochul announced $65 million in new state funding for emergency food aid. This initiative will bolster New York’s network of food banks and pantries, providing approximately 40 million meals to residents in need.

Additionally, members of the Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps will be deployed to assist food banks during this critical period, with ongoing plans to expand food hubs in schools.

“The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way,” Governor Hochul said.

“Unlike Washington Republicans, I won’t sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table. Today, I’m declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers don’t go hungry. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have the power to stop this crisis millions of families depend on it.”

The $65 million in new funding includes $40 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), which supports over 2,700 emergency food providers, and $25 million for Nourish NY, which distributes surplus farm goods like milk, cheese, apples, and squash to those in need.

This announcement follows a lawsuit filed by New York and 24 other states demanding the release of federal SNAP funds and a joint letter signed by 21 governors urging federal action. With an additional $41 million fast-tracked earlier this week, New York has now committed $106 million in state funding to prevent widespread food insecurity.

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