Albany, NY (WRGB) — Governor Hochul announced that New York has allocated over $500 million since 2020 to enhance food access and support local farmers. This funding aims to increase access to fresh, local food for New Yorkers in need and provide new markets for New York farmers.

Governor Hochul said,

New Yorkers band together during the toughest of times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping their neighbors in need and supporting our farmers who continued to feed us. As our state began to emerge from the health crisis, I vowed to prioritize investments in our food access programs to help those New York families who were struggling to put food on the table.

According to a release, the state has implemented 19 programs and initiatives to address food insecurity, strengthen the food supply chain, and support New York’s agricultural industry. These include the FreshConnect Program, which doubles the buying power for SNAP recipients at farmers’ markets, and the Food Access Expansion Grant Program, which provides $10 million to increase food access in underserved areas.

State landmarks will be lit in orange today, Hunger Action Day, to raise awareness of the issue. The landmarks are

  • 1WTC
  • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
  • Kosciuszko Bridge
  • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
  • State Education Building
  • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
  • Empire State Plaza
  • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
  • Niagara Falls
  • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
  • Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct
  • Albany International Airport Gateway
  • MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
  • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
  • Moynihan Train Hall
  • Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

Governor Hochul encouraged New Yorkers to participate in local food bank activities during Hunger Action Month.

Richard A. Ball, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, emphasized the importance of connecting farmers with families facing food insecurity. He said,

Ensuring every New Yorker has fresh, healthy food on their plate has always been a top priority for the Department.

The initiatives also include the Nourish New York program, which reroutes surplus agricultural products to those in need, and the Universal School Meals Program, which ensures free breakfast and lunch for all students in participating schools.

Additionally, many of New York State’s 10 regional food banks are recognizing Hunger Action Month with activities such as food distributions, food drives, and community events to support their hunger relief missions. These efforts include partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to raise awareness and gather donations.