New York State Food Bank Program: Where and What Food to Find

New York State Interim Program provision of regional food banks from the budget will now be permanent. It's all thanks to a bill signed by Gov. Katie Hawkul, recounts Gothamist.

For the provision of food banks from the budget of this year, $ 50 million was allocated. A program called Nourish New York offers food banks all over the state, you can find the closest ones to you. here to register:.

In the early days of the pandemic in 2020, food shortages increased dramatically. And food banks had to refuse people because of the increased demand. Lawmakers hope the additional funds will help stave off a hunger crisis even after the pandemic.

The streets are blocked due to queues

Through the program, the state provides funding to food banks and emergency food providers. Food banks and vendors purchase food, meat, and other products from farms in the northern part of the state. The bill was passed by members of the State Legislature before the session ended in June. But the bill was not signed by then Governor Andrew Cuomo.

At a November 20 ceremony marking the passage of the new law, Queens Assembly member Catalina Cruz, a Democrat, said the program saved the lives of Queens residents affected by the pandemic.

"Queues for products in my office, including La Jornada, have grown so much that sometimes our streets were blocked, ”said Cruz. La Jornada has gone from serving 250 servings a day to 2500 servings a day. This happened sometimes six or seven days a week in the midst of a pandemic.

Due to pressure on pantries, restaurants and food service establishments, and because farmers cannot properly sell surplus food, the state created the Nourish New York program to help feed New Yorkers. Cruz said the program helped support over 4000 farms and distributed 7711070 kg of food. About $ 85 million was spent on a nationwide program.

Pedro Rodriguez, founder and CEO of La Jornada, recalled that due to such high demand for food in the midst of the pandemic, he was forced to refuse people. These days, Rodriguez said that "Queens has no shortage of food."

Rodriguez and Cruz were joined by State Senator Michelle Hinchy, a Democrat representing Green and Montgomery Counties. Khinchi called the package of bills "straightforward."

Hawkul said she noticed long lines of New Yorkers waiting for a week's food at the Queens Museum.

“It's heartbreaking,” Hawkul said. “I want everyone here to look there before they leave today and say that they will never be in this state again.”