- Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest
- Grace C. Bonilla, CEO of United Way of New York City
September 19, 2023, New York:
Groceries or electric bill? Baby formula or meds? These are choices no one should have to make – but millions of New Yorkers do, every day.
It’s been a tough few months for food-insecure New Yorkers. Families who were just getting their footing post-pandemic had the rug pulled from underneath them as pandemic-era aid ended and food costs soared. With the national asylum seeker crisis layering on top of the ongoing economic crisis, our city’s emergency food network is being pushed to its limit. We saw during the pandemic how effective public policy can be to ensure people have access to nutritious food. The Farm Bill, being reauthorized this year, is a crucial tool in the fight against hunger.
The Farm Bill’s name might not immediately bring to mind urban hunger; nonetheless, this legislation is essential in the fight for food security in NYC, funding lifeline programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This year, it’s more important than ever for our elected leaders to come out strong in the fight against hunger.
The Farm Bill is federal legislation passed by the United States Congress every five years. The legislation addresses a range of agricultural and food-related policies, including farm insurance, conservation, and nutrition assistance. The next iteration has the power to protect New Yorkers – and people across the nation – from hunger.
Right now, we have an important opportunity to make our voices heard for a Strong Farm Bill For NYC!