Achieving Food Security Within the City Budget

Join us in urging the NYC Council to prioritize food security in the 2025 City Budget.

Fill out the form to protect vital direct food assistance, benefits outreach and access programs before the budget is set July 1.

Your action can help make a difference for New Yorkers in need.

Food pantries are being asked to do more with less.

Food pantries and soup kitchens are vital for feeding vulnerable neighbors. But they’re struggling to meet growing demand due to rising food costs, less pandemic resources, and more migrants & asylum seekers in need of support.

Learn More

We’re fighting to protect food assistance programs so families can thrive.

We rely on City support to continue our vital work feeding New Yorkers. Join us in urging our leaders to invest in resources that will help us meet the rising demand for food assistance in New York City.

See our top three city budget priorities below.

Read our full list of priorities

Increase investments for New York’s food assistance programs

In 2023, half of NYC households lacked sufficient resources due to rising food prices and living costs outpacing wages. When public benefits fall short or are not available, households turn to the food assistance network.

1.2M

New Yorkers facing food insecurity

80%

increase in requests for food since before the pandemic

50%

of NY households lack sufficient resources to meet their needs

Invest in programs & technology that increase access to SNAP and other resources

New York can be a leader in food security by investing in programs and technology to connect people with resources like SNAP, our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. Each year, SNAP yields:

$11.3B

in economic activity annually statewide

1.7M

low-income NYC residents rely on SNAP

1 in 4

NYC residents are eligible but not accessing SNAP

Support women & families by investing in early childhood education

Access to programs like Universal PreK and 3K is vital for NYC families, offering foundational learning and free meals. We must restore budget cuts to protect and ensure these programs are available to all families in need.

80%

of NYC families with young children can’t afford adequate child care

65%

of NYC households with children >5 yo lack resources to meet basic needs

$23B

in economic activity lost due to parents leaving the workforce to meet childcare needs

Take action to support critical food assistance programs!

Stand up to protect and enhance funding for direct food assistance, benefits outreach and access, city-wide food initiatives, and other programs New Yorkers rely on.

Email Your Legislator

…to ensure food programs are fully funded!

Take Action

Rally at City Hall

…on 5/23 to call on the City Council to support food security priorities!

Be an Advocate

…to help New Yorkers achieve food security for good!

Get Started

Resources

Recent Highlights

Rally For a Food Secure NYC

THURS, MAY 23 I 1 – 2:30 PM ET
New York City Hall, New York, NY 10017

Food Bank For NYC along with United Way of New York City, City Harvest, and other friends gathered at City Hall to oppose potential budget cuts to essential food assistance programs. The rally, hosted by our President & CEO Leslie Gordon, drew 100 advocates and concerned New Yorkers urging lawmakers to restore funding and support for these vital services.

Learn more

Want to become an advocate for Food Bank For NYC?

Visit our Advocate page to learn more about upcoming campaigns and how you can join our advocacy volunteer team.

Yes, I'm in!