Strengthen Farm Bill Programs Fighting Hunger

Urge Congress to reauthorize a stronger Farm Bill that helps NYC families access the food they need. Join us and take action to support a Farm Bill that strengthens federal nutrition programs!

More families are forced from grocery stores to pantry lines.

With grocery prices at a 40-year high and the end of pandemic benefits, New Yorkers are visiting our local pantries 80% more often to keep their families fed.

The Farm Bill impacts all New Yorkers.

Many NYC families are food-insecure due to the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing.

44%

Of New Yorkers are rent-burdened

>30%

Of monthly expenses spent on housing

5.8%

Of New Yorkers are unemployed

We’re fighting to strengthen the Farm Bill so families can thrive.

The next Farm Bill has the power to protect New Yorkers in need – and people nationwide – from hunger. We rely on federal programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to meet the growing community need for help. See our top three Farm Bill priorities below.

Strengthen TEFAP with additional funding and by reducing administrative barriers

We’re pushing to double TEFAP funding to $500 million and boost grants for storage and infrastructure to improve food availability and delivery citywide.

Removing income attestation and record-keeping rules will make TEFAP food easier to access and lighten the load for distribution sites. Reducing red tape will also support local farmers and allow pantries to offer more culturally relevant food options for clients.

Expand access to SNAP by removing eligibility barriers and enrollment requirements

Eliminating eligibility barriers will help SNAP reach vulnerable groups at risk of food insecurity, including college students, people with past felony convictions, asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented immigrants, and DACA recipients.

We must raise the income limit to match today’s cost of living to help more individuals, households, and working families qualify for SNAP benefits.

Increase SNAP’s purchasing power and protect benefit levels

Aligning SNAP benefit levels with the actual cost of food using the Low-Cost Food Plan will enhance the program’s ability to fight poverty and support local economies.

We must protect SNAP from efforts to cut future benefits, ensuring it continues to be an effective program for everyone who qualifies.

Take action to support anti-hunger programs!

Raise your voice for stronger Farm Bill that help more New York families put food on the table.

Email Your Legislator

…to support food security in New York State!

Call Your Legislator

…to support food security priorities!

Be an Advocate

…and sign up for Advocacy updates to help shape a food-secure tomorrow for all New Yorkers!

STATE BUDGET

Resources

Recent Highlights

  • Food Bank For NYC libby crown
    News| September 20, 2023|

    ‘The Farm Bill’: Op Ed from CEOs of FBNYC, City Harvest & UWNY

    Joint Statement on the Farm Bill by: Leslie Gordon, CEO of Food Bank For New York City Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest Grace C. Bonilla, CEO of United Way of New York City September 19, 2023, New York: [...]

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.