‘Bracing for Impact’: Nicole Hunt Speaks to NBC on SNAP Freeze and Rising Need in NYC

NBC interviewed Nicole Hunt, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Food Bank For NYC, about the potential freeze on SNAP benefits this November amid the federal government shutdown. With SNAP temporarily unavailable, food banks are preparing for a surge in demand as more New Yorkers turn to emergency food programs for support. Across the city, pantries are already seeing longer lines and grocers are bracing for economic strain.

To help bridge the gap, Food Bank For NYC is hosting a Pop-Up Food Pantry for federal employees this Tuesday, Oct 28, 2025, at Corona SDA Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Transcript:

Ida Siegal (Host):
Food pantries are already seeing longer lines since federal employees lost their income. With SNAP benefits gone, they’re anticipating pantries will soon go empty—and grocery store owners could lose business.

Nicole Hunt:
Not only are grocers going to be on the front lines as people realize they don’t have those SNAP benefits—some will show up with carts of food and discover they can’t pay—but that lost revenue will hit stores hard, too.

Ida:
The Food Bank For New York City is holding a Pop-Up Food Pantry specifically for federal employees this week. It will take place this Tuesday at the Corona SDA Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Reporting from the newsroom: Ida Siegal, News 4 New York.