SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WBNG) — Last week, the New York State Senate and Assembly released their budgets for the 2027 fiscal year.
Both budgets propose fully funding the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Nourish New York at $75 million each.
The funding now needs Governor Kathy Hochul’s approval.
“The next step would be that Governor Hochul acknowledges Nourish New York and HIPNAP in her final budget,” said director of advocacy and education at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Sarah DeFrank. “And so, we are asking people in the community, our pantry networks, everyone to ensure that Governor Hochul understands how essential both of these programs are. And then, if that happens and, you know, the network does receive this incredible support, we’ll put it to work pretty quickly.”
DeFrank said that funding cuts at the federal level make state support crucial.
HPNAP provides funding for food banks, pantries, shelters and community organizations to purchase and distribute cost-effective food options.
Nourish New York partners with local farmers and provides funding for emergency food providers to distribute fresh produce and dairy products to communities.
“I think when we think about the work that we could do and could achieve with this money, we are an anti-hunger organization, but hunger is a symptom of poverty. And if we have these opportunities for economic interventions like these, then we’re addressing poverty and hopefully interrupting hunger,” said DeFrank.
Food bank officials are urging community members to contact Hochul and other state officials and urge them to support the funding.
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