Strengthening the Food Safety Net

On December 11, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) convened food advocates in New York City for the Strengthening the Food Safety Net conference. The event bolstered support for healthy food access and investment in food benefit programs in New York State. Helena Bottemiller Evich, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Food Fix, presented an overview of what the 2024 presidential election means for the food safety net and experts shared insights on addressing disparities in the food system and identifying local models that present opportunities to scale food access across the State. 

Watch the event recording.

AGENDA 

Opening Remarks 

• David Sandman, President and CEO, NYHealth 

Keynote Address: What the 2024 Presidential Election Means for the Food Safety Net 

• Helena Bottemiller Evich, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Food Fix 

Panel 1: Opportunities to Strengthen Safety Net Administration 

• Maria Teresa Walles, Safety Net Activist, Urban Justice Center
• Dottie Rosenbaum, Senior Fellow and Director of Federal SNAP Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Noah Fulmer, Senior Fellow, Fair Food Network
• Moderator: Julia McCarthy, Senior Program Officer, NYHealth 

Quick Take: Summer EBT 

• Rebecca Garofano, School Dietitian, Food and Nutrition Services, Syracuse City School District 

Panel 2: Extending Safety Net Cover to the Hard-to-Reach 

• Michael J. Wilson, Deputy Commissioner for Social Services, New Jersey
• Christina Nieves, Senior Director for Research and Evaluation, Bureau of Harlem Neighborhood Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Sarah Merrick, Commissioner, Onondaga County Department of Social Services-Economic Security
• Moderator: Andrew Barrett, Program Officer, NYHealth 

Closing Remarks 

• Avital Havusha, Vice President for Programs, NYHealth