Governor Hochul Declares State of Emergency and Initiates New Actions in Response to Trump Administration Cutting Off Food Assistance to Nearly 3 Million New Yorkers Starting[...]

Governor Kathy Hochul today declared a state of emergency and announced new actions in response to the Trump administration stripping food assistance from 3 million New Yorkers come November 1. As the GOP federal government shutdown continues, the Trump administration has refused to release billions in statutorily approved federal contingency funding that would address this crisis in states across the nation. By refusing to release this contingency funding, the federal government is leaving millions of New Yorkers without critical assistance they rely on to feed themselves and their families.

While Washington Republicans refuse to act to avert this crisis, Governor Hochul is stepping up by committing an additional $65 million in new State funds for emergency food assistance that will reinforce New York's network of vital food bank and pantry partners and provide about 40 million meals to hungry New Yorkers. The Governor is also deploying Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps Members to support local food banks during this emergency period of increased need, and continuing to explore food hubs at schools.

"The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way," Governor Hochul said. "Unlike Washington Republicans, I won't sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table. Today, I'm declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers don't go hungry. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have the power to stop this crisis - millions of families depend on it."

Since the inception of the program, SNAP benefits have been federally funded. New York administers approximately $650 million per month in federally funded SNAP benefits to nearly 3 million New Yorkers. Given the scale of the program, Governor Hochul along with governors across the country have repeatedly emphasized that no state government can replace SNAP benefits or backfill the program.

Here's a look at what today's announcement means for New Yorkers:

$65M in new State funds for programs that support food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and more to provide emergency food assistance to New Yorkers

• $40M in new funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides emergency food relief and nutrition services to food-insecure populations. HPNAP works in partnership with a network of about 2,700 Emergency Food Providers (EFPs), including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.
• $25M in new funding for Nourish NY, which supplies surplus agricultural products (e.g., milk, apples, cheese, yogurt, cabbage, squash) to populations who need them through the State's network of food relief organizations (i.e., regional food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and community-based organizations that provide food for free to persons experiencing food insecurity).

Deploying Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps Members to support food banks

• Currently, hundreds of SUNY students serve as peer navigators, helping fellow students complete SNAP applications and assisting at campus and local food pantries.
• The Empire State Service Corps will allow current members to expand their paid hours, enabling them to provide greater support at food pantries statewide. In addition, new short-term crisis response positions will be created to assist food pantries and food banks facing staffing shortages.

Today's announcement comes as New York, along with 24 other states, sued the Trump administration on Tuesday to demand the release of emergency SNAP funds. The Governor also joined a letter alongside 20 other Governors to the President, calling for the Administration to reverse course and release emergency SNAP funds. Governor Hochul also fast-tracked $41 million in state funds for emergency food assistance earlier this week - today's announcement brings the total of allocated state funds to $106 million.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "The federal government's refusal to release emergency food assistance will have devastating consequences for families already struggling to make ends meet. Access to nutritious food is a fundamental public health necessity - it affects everything from childhood development to chronic disease prevention. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, the State Health Department is working closely with food banks, local health departments and community organizations to ensure no New Yorker goes hungry during this crisis. These actions reflect our shared commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all New Yorkers."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "SUNY is grateful to Governor Hochul for providing the leadership to address food insecurity for our students, their families, and the SUNY community. The SUNY students who make up the Governor's Empire State Service Corps are proud to be part of the solution and to help their peers and neighbors."

New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "No student should have to choose between focusing on their education and worrying about their next meal. In response to the recent cuts to SNAP benefits, our agencies are coming together to make sure no student is left behind. This is a team effort, working hand in hand with our partners in government, communities, and local organizations to build a safety net that ensures that hunger never stands in the way of learning and opportunity."

"Unlike Washington Republicans, I won't sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table. Today, I'm declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers don't go hungry."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "SNAP recipients, most of whom are children, older adults or individuals with a disability, count on SNAP every month to feed their families. The federal government's callous decision to cut off federal funding for SNAP recipients for the first time in the program's history underscores this administration's lack of understanding of the difficult economic realities facing nearly 3 million New Yorkers and millions more of our fellow Americans. Now is a pivotal moment for our federal government to honor its long-standing social safety-net obligations. We are grateful for Governor Hochul's leadership and commitment to fighting on behalf of New Yorkers and demanding accountability from federal officials."

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "I am grateful for our Governor's swift response to the federal government's senseless and reckless cuts that will put millions of New Yorkers in jeopardy of not having enough food to put on the table, stress the emergency food system, and impact our farmers in the process. By providing additional, critical funding to our feeding assistance programs, such as Nourish NY, we will be able to help our food banks and food pantries purchase and make available more local farm products to our communities in need. This is one more step in New York's efforts to fight back and ensure we do everything we can to maintain support of our families and our farmers."

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, "From day one, Donald Trump and rubber-stamp Republicans have waged an all-out assault on the health, safety and well-being of the American people. Their latest attempt to rip food out of the mouths of children, seniors and veterans who have served our country honorably is a disgusting dereliction of duty and makes clear that the cruelty is the point. Instead of finding money to pay off wannabe dictators in Argentina, Donald Trump should use the money that was appropriated by Congress to make sure that 42 million Americans do not go hungry and lose their SNAP benefits. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her strong leadership and her principled commitment to making sure that every single New Yorker can put food on the table. It's time for Republicans in Washington to do the same."

State Senator Cordell Cleare said, "Over 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP including almost 1 million of our beloved Older New Yorkers. The program is a lifeline and provides a baseline of humanity and quality of life for those seeking just to simply provide for themselves and their family. It shocks the conscience that Trump and Congressional Republicans would hold families hostage like this, bulldozing the White House and plowing under the well-being of millions. I join the Governor in not only calling out the hypocrisy but in making certain that New York steps up to the plate and funds SNAP with state resources."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Starting Saturday, the Trump administration will cut off SNAP benefits, leaving 3 million New Yorkers without enough to eat. SNAP is one of our country's most effective anti-hunger programs, and taking it away is a cruel abdication of the federal government's duty. We have to take every action to protect New Yorkers from the food insecurity created by the Trump administration, and I thank Governor Hochul for this new funding and support for food pantries, which will help us fight against this crisis."

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "I'd like to thank the Governor for her efforts to help avert this catastrophic situation. My office stands ready to assist in any way possible with this undertaking. We have already reached out to our local 2-1-1 Call Center along with our local government partners to make sure everyone is informed and prepared."

Assemblymember Rebecca A. Seawright said, "As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging, I applaud Governor Hochul for taking swift action to safeguard millions of New Yorkers from losing the food assistance they rely on. Older adults are among the most vulnerable to food insecurity, and the continued refusal of the federal government to release emergency SNAP funds is unconscionable. The Governor's investment will strengthen our food banks and pantries, ensuring seniors and families can continue to access the nutrition they need to live with dignity. I stand with Governor Hochul in calling for the immediate release of federal contingency funding and for protecting the health and well-being of every New Yorker."

New York Common Pantry Executive Director Stephen Grimaldi said, "The Government shutdown will have serious adverse effects for SNAP recipients on November 1st, impacting the working poor, elderly, children and the disabled. We've got to do better. The federal government must continue to provide SNAP funds to ensure people are fed or millions will flood food pantries and soup kitchens, overwhelming the emergency feeding network. We've just served the largest number of households coming for Pantry services in one day, in anticipation of the cuts."

r4 CEO Paul Breitenbach said, "For too many families across New York, access to nutritious food remains an everyday challenge. At r4, we're proud to partner with Governor Kathy Hochul and the State of New York to help change that. Together with The Smart Food Foundation, we're working to get healthy food to the people who need it most. This partnership reflects the power of collaboration in strengthening communities across the state."

Food Bank For NYC CEO and President Leslie Gordon said, "Amid surging food insecurity rates, the Federal shutdown has created so much uncertainty and devastating long lasting impact for so many. We are incredibly grateful for the Governor's leadership. Her support, along with that of the State government, allows us to continue to meet the growing need and serve every neighbor with dignity."

Sharing Excess CEO Evan Ehlers said, "While we face a growing crisis of food access, the U.S. continues to waste nearly 40% of its food supply, throwing away ten times more food than we need to feed everyone. At Sharing Excess, we're committed to redirecting that surplus to communities in need, and we're thrilled to partner with Governor Kathy Hochul and r4 to make a meaningful difference for families across New York during a critical time of need."

Contact the Governor's Press Office