NYC Can Fight Hunger with Increased Community Food Connection Investments!

Anti-hunger programs reduce the prevalence of child poverty and contribute to better health, education, and community outcomes across a child’s life. These programs are more important than ever as costs continue to rise, and groceries become less affordable forcing more families to rely on these programs. Families with children are especially affected, with one in four New York City children experiencing food insecurity. Widespread and harmful cuts to SNAP –resulting from H.R.1 at the federal level –have disrupted one of the most important resources in the fight against food insecurity. As such, food pantries, food banks and other community food programs will become increasingly essential to combat food insecurity.

One important program in the fight against hunger is Community Food Connection (CFC), which provides funding to over 700 pantries and soup kitchens to help New Yorkers access food. The Mayor’s FY27 Preliminary Budget increased and baselined funding for Community Food Connections at $53.6 million. However, more funding is needed to meet the need.

Please join us in urging city leaders to increase funding for CFC to $100 million to ensure communities facing worsening affordability and food insecurity crises can continue to depend on this vital resource.