Strengthening the Food Safety Net

A strong social safety net can lift families out of poverty and connect them with the resources they need to thrive. Yet, across New York State, millions of people worry about where their next meal will come from. These concerns are not evenly shared across the population, as disparities in food insecurity have widened by race, ethnicity, and income level in recent years.

Join the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) to discuss efforts to address these disparities, expand the food safety net, and identify local models that could be scaled across New York. With other nonprofit leaders, officials, and journalists, attendees will explore opportunities to support cross-sector collaboration, investment in public benefits, and advocacy.

Please note, this event will not be livestreamed. Video clips will be available.

Register here.

Attendees: Please note, the entrance to The Venue at City Harvest is located at 171 53rd St, Brooklyn, NYC.  

AGENDA:

12:30 -1:00 p.m. |  Registration

1:00 – 1:15 p.m. |  Opening Remarks

David Sandman, President and CEO, NYHealth

1:15 PM – 1:45 p.m. |  Keynote Address: What the 2024 Presidential Election Means for the Food Safety Net

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

1:45 PM – 2:30 p.m. |  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

2:30 – 3:00 |  Break

3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Quick Take: Summer EBT

Rebecca Garafano, School Dietitian, Food and Nutrition Services, Syracuse City School District

3:15 – 4:00 p.m. |  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

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. |  Closing Remarks

Avital Havusha, Vice President for Programs, NYHealth

4:15 – 5:30 p.m. |  Networking Reception