Report: More people going hungry in NY despite economic growth

The report is sparking a renewed push at both the state and federal levels to expand food assistance programs.

Melanie Palmer

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May 3, 2024, 8:21 PM

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Updated 11 days ago

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A new report shows food insecurities are on the rise in New York, despite recent economic growth.

The report is sparking a renewed push at both the state and federal levels to expand food assistance programs.

The Office of the New York State Comptroller released the report Thursday, showing that between 2019 to 2021, one in 10 New York households experienced some kind of food insecurity.

Since then, food insecurity levels across the state have worsened.

In fact, officials with Feeding Westchester in Westchester County said their demand has gone back up to pandemic levels.

"Kids need to have fresh nutritious meals every day and not think about that, they have enough stuff to think about like getting good grades," says Tami Wilson, with Feeding Westchester.

The state report blames a handful of factors, including a lapse of emergency food benefits that were available federally during the pandemic.

Also, a rise in food costs is playing a role.

"I have been supporting efforts to raise the SNAP minimum, go see what you can buy for $18 at the grocery store behind me, it's not much," says Assemblyman Matt Slater.

Some state lawmakers and local food bank leaders are pushing for the minimum SNAP benefits to be raised.

Read the full report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller here: https://www.osc.ny.gov/files/reports/pdf/food-insecurity-persists-post-pandemic.pdf

To help Feeding Westchester's mission, click here.