Achieving Food Security in the State Budget

We need YOUR VOICE! Send a letter urging your state legislator to support fully funding food assistance programs before the New York State Budget is set April 1!

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Food pantries are struggling to meet the growing need for assistance.

More families in need across New York City and state are turning to food pantries for support amid rising food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits.

But there’s hope.

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We’re fighting to fully fund food assistance programs.

Join us in urging elected officials to work with Governor Kathy Hochul to guarantee programs that help food banks like ours feed families are fully funded in 2024. By doing so, you’ll help provide more New Yorkers with nutritious food, sourced from local food producers who supply food banks like ours across the state.

See our top three state budget priorities below.

See full list of priorities

Increasing investments for New York’s food assistance network

Food banks, pantries, and emergency food providers serve as a critical lifeline for our non-citizen neighbors (often excluded from federal nutrition programs like SNAP) with help from The Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) & Nourish NY (NNY).

600+

NYC food pantries supported by HPNAP

70M LBS

in food distributed by NNY in 2020

NYS food producers supported by NNY

Strengthen SNAP benefits & tax credits in New York State

New York State can be a leader in food security by increasing access to SNAP, our nation’s most effective food and nutrition program by investing in the NYS Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). 2023 impacts:

32K

households assisted

$140M

in SNAP benefits to New Yorkers

$215M+

in economic activity

Enact the New York State Working Families Tax Credit

As one of the nation’s largest free federal tax filers, Food Bank For NYC understands how the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) can lift children out of poverty while bolstering the economy. See its potential impact below.

90K

children lifted out of poverty

19.6%

reduction in children living in deep poverty

$1.5K

in fully refundable tax credits back into parents’ pockets

Act now to support critical food assistance programs!

Raise your voice to ensure that our local food pantries can feed more New Yorkers in 2024!

Email Your Legislator

…to ensure food programs are fully funded!

Take Action

Spread the Word

…to your family & friends on social media!

Social Toolkit

Be an Advocate

…to help New Yorkers achieve food security for good!

Get Started

Resources

Recent Highlights

Food Security Advocacy in Action

WEDS, FEB 14
ALBANY, NY

The Public Affairs team and representatives from six of our member agencies expressed their love for New York on Valentine’s Day at our State Capitol in Albany, NY. The day began with a press conference on the renowned Million Dollar Staircase. Then, legislative meetings with New York City-based Assembly members and State Senators’ offices were held urging them to collaborate with Governor Hochul for a food secure State Budget.

Food Bank President & CEO Leslie Gordon Sits Down with Tiempo

SUN, FEB 11 I 11:30 AM – 12 PM
WABC

Food Bank For NYC’s President & CEO Leslie Gordon joins WABC’s Tiempo with Joe Torres to discuss how the New York State Budget impacts Food Bank’s ability to serve low income New Yorkers with culturally relevant and nutritious food.

Watch the video>

Martin Luther King Jr. 2024 Day of Service

TUES, JAN. 16 I 12 – 1 PM
WEBINAR

We honored the legacy of Dr. King in a day of service involving creating an art advocacy project and writing letters calling on Governor Hochul to support our State budget priorities.

Empowering New Yorkers to Achieve Food Security: Legislative Briefing

FRI, DEC. 15 I 9 – 10:30 AM
WEBINAR

Over 15 representatives from State Elected offices joined us to learn about our budget priorities and commit to supporting relevant food security legislation.

Become a Food Security Advocate with Food Bank

From mobilizing leaders and clients from our member, community-based network to educating and activating our supporters, you can be part of actions to ensure all New Yorkers achieve food security for good.

Yes, I'm in!