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Overview
Food insecurity is a growing challenge for New York. 12.3% of households across the State experienced food insecurity from 2021–2023, an increase from 10.8% before the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2] Federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are effective tools to alleviate hunger, increase food security, and improve health outcomes. States, including New York, extend the reach and impact of SNAP and WIC further with investments that supplement federal programs by supporting community outreach and program administration. In consideration of factors such as widening economic inequality, inflation, and rising food costs, New York has also created numerous State-specific programs to improve food security.
The budget tracker outlines New York State’s investments in food security programs before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on direct food security initiatives and excludes State investments in agriculture programs, nutrition education, and food security efforts funded at the federal and local levels.
With potential policy changes at the federal level and ongoing advocacy efforts in New York, monitoring financial investments is important to ensure the State utilizes its finite resources most effectively to support the nutrition and health of all New Yorkers.
[1] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, “Food security in the United States: How do states compare?,” https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/interactive-charts-and-highlights#States, accessed February 2025.
[2] The United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service calculates the prevalence of food insecure households as a 2-year rolling average.
Budget Tracker: State Investments by Year
This table provides an overview of New York’s funding for food security programs over three time periods: 1) FY 2019 (April 1, 2018–March 31, 2019), 2) FY 2020 (April 1, 2019–March 31, 2020), and 3) FY 2025 (April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025). Click the tabs at the top of the table to view each year.
State budget allocations were sourced from the Aid to Localities (FY 2019, FY 2020, FY 2025) and Capital Projects (FY 2019) Appropriations bills. Reference numbers for specific program allocations are included to support ongoing tracking.
Key Highlights
- New York nearly tripled State investments in food security programs between FY 2019 and FY 2025.
- Child Nutrition: The State increased its investment in multiple child by 386.8% between FY 2019 and FY 2025.[1] New York allocated an additional $145.6 million to expand the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) subsidy for school meals.[2] The State committed even more funding to support universal school meals in FY 2026.[3]
- Summer EBT: The State supported the introduction of the new federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, pledging an additional $13 million to ensure children have access to nutritious meals when school is out of session.[4]
- NOURISH New York: The State established its own new program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to address food insecurity while creating economic opportunities for farmers. This initiative facilitates State purchasing of surplus agricultural products for food banks and pantries.[5][6]
With high food insecurity rates and economic pressures, continued State commitment, along with the support and action of policymakers and advocacy groups, is critical.[7] As federal funding and priorities shift, State-level investment in food assistance programs will continue to help ensure New Yorkers have access to nutritious food.[8]
[1] Child nutrition programs include the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Reduced Price Meal State, Summer Food Program, State Farm-to-School, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) State Investments.
[2] The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Subsidy is a federal initiative that allows high-poverty schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students. CEP is available to schools or districts with at least 25% of students directly certified for free meals without a meal application.
[3] New York State Office of the Governor, “Universal school meals: Governor Hochul announces free breakfast and lunch for more than 2.7 million students in New York as part of the 2025 State of the State,” https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/universal-school-meals-governor-hochul-announces-free-breakfast-and-lunch-more-27-million, accessed January 2025.
[4] Hunger Solutions New York, “Summer EBT,” https://hungersolutionsny.org/federal-nutrition-programs/summer-ebt/, accessed January 2025.
[5]New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, “Nourish New York,” https://agriculture.ny.gov/NourishNY, accessed January 2025.
[6] Hinchey, Michelle, “Legislation by Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz making Nourish NY Program permanent signed by Governor Hochul,” The New York State Senate, November 20, 2021, https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/michelle-hinchey/legislation-senator-michelle-hinchey-and, accessed February 2025.
[7] No Kid Hungry New York, “New Poll: Amid affordability crisis, more New Yorkers struggling with rising food prices and cutting back on Healthy Foods,” https://state.nokidhungry.org/new-york/new-poll-amid-affordability-crisis-more-new-yorkers-struggling-with-rising-food-prices-and-cutting-back-on-healthy-foods/, accessed February 2025.
[8] Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “2025 Budget Stakes: Millions Could Lose Needed Food Assistance,” https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/2025-budget-stakes-millions-could-lose-needed-food-assistance, accessed February 2025.
Table 1 provides an overview of New York’s funding for food security programs over three time periods: 1) FY 2019 (April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019), 2) FY 2020 (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020), and 3) FY 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). State budget allocations were sourced from the Aid to Localities (FY 2019, FY 2020, FY 2025) and Capital Projects (FY 2019) Appropriations bills. Reference numbers for specific program allocations are included to support ongoing tracking.
Download a PDF and the quick-reference table