Feeding New York State, on behalf of our ten member food banks and in collaboration with nearly 3,000 pantries, shelters, and community-based organizations, commends the New York State Senate and Assembly for proposing $75 million each for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Nourish New York in the One-House Budgets.

Our food bank network is working diligently to meet growing community needs. As the cost of living rises and federal SNAP funding faces threats, programs like HPNAP and Nourish New York are vital to sustaining our hunger-relief efforts.

We are grateful for the proposed increase in funding for HPNAP and Nourish New York.These programs provide food, operations and logistical support to food banks and hunger relief organizations across the state. Additionally, Nourish New York supports farmers, growers and producers through direct purchasing of local products. At just $54 per food-insecure person, this modest funding increase will yield outsized results through our network as we face record-breaking demand.

We also appreciate proposals to expand funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), Double Up Food Bucks and WIC, as well as investments to fight SNAP fraud. We remain aligned with efforts to adequately support these programs.

We stand ready to partner with Governor Hochul to ensure the final FY27 State Budget reflects a commitment to all New Yorkers. By incorporating the Senate and Assembly’s proposed investments in HPNAP and Nourish New York, we can collectively strengthen our state’s nutrition safety net.