This week, as New York City considered the potential impact of the federal debt deal, which could drastically cut federal aid for a range of programs, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled a new initiative to combat poverty in NYC. One new study suggests that eating healthfully is too expensive for many Americans, and another found that fast food marketing to kids has increased.

Finally, a big “Like!” to one of our own member food pantries, which launched a buzzworthy initiative to fight hunger!

Debt deal impact: New York City could lose billions in federal aid, New York Daily News, 8/2/11
From health care to security and transportation, the debt ceiling deal threatens long-term pain for New York City, which stands to lose billions in federal aid.

Inside the mayor's new poverty plan, Crain’s New York Business, 8/4/11
The Young Men's Initiative will include efforts to improve education, job placement, health and criminal justice outcomes for about 315,000 black and Hispanic men between the ages of 16 and 24. More than a dozen city agencies will be involved.

Grow Local and Eat Local, City Council Says, The New York Times, 7/29/11
In an effort to ramp up support for the consumption and production of local food, the City Council passed a package of bills on Thursday to facilitate the building of rooftop greenhouses and free up land for urban gardens.

Study: Healthy eating means spending more at store, AP, 8/4/11
A healthy diet is expensive and could make it difficult for Americans to meet new U.S. nutritional guidelines, according to a study published Thursday that says the government should do more to help consumers eat healthier.

Food Ads Still Bombard Kids, Augusta Chronicle, 8/1/11
Though overall exposure to food advertising for children went down after a voluntary agreement to limit it, the amount of fast-food advertising went up, and most of the foods still marketed to kids are not good for them, according to a report out Monday.

Sweet Relief: Helping Hungry with Honey, New York Post, 8/4/11
A Brooklyn food pantry is abuzz about its new beekeeping project to fight hunger -- harvesting and bottling the honey from two hives.