(WNY News Now) – New York launches $65 million emergency food initiative and mobilizes statewide response after federal funding freeze on SNAP benefits set to begin November 1.
ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency and announced a series of emergency actions to counter the Trump administration’s decision to halt federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding for nearly three million New Yorkers starting November 1.
As the ongoing federal government shutdown delays the release of contingency funds, New York State is committing $65 million in new resources to ensure continued access to food for affected residents. The emergency funding will support the state’s network of food banks, pantries, and community organizations, providing an estimated 40 million meals across New York.
“The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way,” Governor Hochul said. “Unlike Washington Republicans, I won’t sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table. Today, I’m declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers don’t go hungry. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have the power to stop this crisis — millions of families depend on it.”
Under the plan, $40 million will go to the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, supporting over 2,700 emergency food providers statewide, while $25 million will bolster the Nourish NY initiative, which supplies surplus farm products such as dairy, produce, and grains to communities in need.
The state is also deploying Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps members to assist food banks and pantries with staffing shortages and increased demand. SUNY students will help process SNAP applications and distribute food at both campus and local pantries.
Officials from multiple state agencies and nonprofit partners praised the Governor’s swift action. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized the public health implications of food insecurity, while Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball highlighted the positive impact of Nourish NY in supporting both families and farmers.
Hochul’s announcement follows a joint lawsuit filed by New York and 24 other states seeking to compel the release of emergency federal SNAP funds. Earlier this week, the state accelerated $41 million in food assistance, bringing total state support to $106 million.
State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. underscored the importance of maintaining food access for students, noting that food insecurity can jeopardize academic success.
Local leaders and nonprofit executives also voiced concern over the potential surge in demand for emergency food services. “We’ve just seen the largest number of households seeking pantry assistance in a single day,” said Stephen Grimaldi, Executive Director of New York Common Pantry. “These cuts will overwhelm emergency feeding networks.”
Governor Hochul also launched a new state website this week to connect residents with available food assistance resources.
For more information and access to food support programs, New Yorkers can visit http://www.ny.gov/foodassistance.
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