Feeding New York State, on behalf of our 10 member food banks and in collaboration with nearly 3,000 pantries, shelters, and community-based organizations, thanks the Governor and the Legislature for increasing funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) to $72.8M and maintaining Nourish New York at $55M. We recognize that recent federal cuts have put increasing strain on state budgets, and appreciate the Governor for continuing to prioritize investments in food assistance programs.

We also commend the Governor and Legislature for increasing allotments for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) and creating NY Plates to support capacity building at food banks and pantries statewide.

New York has already begun to feel the effects of federal changes to SNAP, including the implementation of stricter work requirements and removal of eligibility for lawfully present immigrants. In the past year, nearly 200,000 people in New York have lost access to SNAP. These changes, along with an increase in cost of food and cost of living, have a ripple effect resulting in longer lines and increased need that is already being felt by our food banks and organizations across the state.

Every New Yorker deserves to have access to wholesome food. We look forward to advocating next year in favor of increased support for both HPNAP and Nourish New York, recognizing that both programs are critical to helping our food banks continue to meet rising need.