BRONX, NY — Food Bank For New York City proudly announces the award of nearly $9 million in federal funding to strengthen our response to food insecurity across the five boroughs. This critical investment will support major renovations and modernization of our Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx — the operational heart of New York City’s hunger-relief network.
At a time when more New Yorkers are turning to food pantries than ever before, this funding strengthens the infrastructure required to move millions of pounds of nutritious food into communities experiencing food insecurity every day. It ensures our city is better prepared not only to meet today’s growing need, but to respond swiftly during future emergencies.
“We are deeply grateful to Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Representative Ocasio-Cortez for their unwavering commitment to fighting food insecurity in New York City,” said Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank For NYC. “This investment strengthens the foundation of our citywide food distribution network and ensures we can continue delivering nutritious food to millions of New Yorkers who rely on us. Modernizing our Hunts Point Food Distribution Center is essential to meeting increasing demand — and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.”
“I’m so proud to support Food Bank For NYC alongside Senator Gillibrand,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “This investment will increase food distribution capacity and help serve the growing number of families turning to food pantries. When families are fed, kids can focus in school, parents can go to work, and neighborhoods can truly flourish.”
“In coordination with hundreds of community partners, Food Bank For NYC distributes millions of pounds of food to families, seniors, and other New Yorkers in need each year,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. “I’m proud to have led the effort in the Senate to secure $6 million in federal funding to support the comprehensive renovation and expansion of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, and I’m committed to fighting for more federal resources to expand access to healthy and nutritious food, promote local job creation, and help New Yorkers thrive.”
“I am proud to have secured federal funding for projects that will better the lives of working people in the Bronx and Queens. This funding includes direct and urgent infrastructure investments for NYC’s largest food bank in Hunts Point,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Thank you to all our local government and community partners for your dedication to our community.”
A Major Investment in New York City’s Hunger-Relief Infrastructure
Food Bank For NYC secured:
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$6,000,000 in Congressional Directed Spending, supported by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand
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$2,998,000 in Community Project Funding, supported by Representative Ocasio-Cortez, in partnership with New York City’s Small Business Services (SBS) and Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
These federal investments represent a powerful commitment to strengthening the infrastructure required to move millions of pounds of food across all five boroughs and combat food insecurity at scale.
Serving New Yorkers Today — and Preparing for Tomorrow
The newly awarded federal funding will modernize and expand the capacity of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. These improvements will ensure our network is stronger, safer, and more responsive — especially during times of crisis, when New Yorkers rely on us most.
As New York City’s largest hunger-relief logistics hub, the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center:
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Receives, stores, and prepares food for distribution to thousands of community partners
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Supports food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, and schools across the five boroughs
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Deploys emergency food resources during crises and natural disasters
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Ensures nutritious, culturally relevant food reaches New Yorkers in every neighborhood
Last year alone, Food Bank For NYC distributed over 103 million pounds of food through our network — including 36 million pounds of fresh produce and 51 million pounds of culturally relevant foods.
Food Bank For NYC is immensely grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Ocasio-Cortez for championing these critical investments. Their leadership strengthens our ability to fight food insecurity, support families, children, and seniors, and build a more food-secure New York City for the long term.
