On January 25, 2017, CCC testified before the City Council General Welfare and Aging Committees at an oversight hearing on reducing food insecurity in New York City.  CCC acknowledged the efforts of both the Administration and the City Council and urged the City to go further to strengthen the anti-hunger safety net and expand efforts to increase access to healthy, affordable food in food deserts.

CCC’s recommendations included:

• The City should continue to engage in efforts to expand participation in SNAP to reach more eligible New Yorkers, as well as efforts to ensure New Yorkers can use their benefits more widely.
• The City should continue to engage in efforts to expand participation in the WIC program.
• The Administration should baseline and add funding for emergency food assistance programs
• The City should ensure that the new SNAP guidelines imposed on retailers do not limit access to the food New Yorkers need.
• The City should explore ways to strengthen and expand the Green Cart initiative.
• The City should increase its investment in the FRESH program.