LATHAM, N.Y. — U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference on Friday to address the impact of rising grocery prices and costs of household necessities on families across New York State at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY.
Gillibrand held press conferences across New York State – including in Latham, Utica, and Riverhead – to address the impact of rising grocery and household goods prices on working families. The push follows a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report showing headline inflation surged to 4.2%, the sharpest 12-month increase since April 2023, according to a press release.
Gillibrand, D-NY, blamed the rising costs directly on the ongoing war in Iran. She reiterated her commitment to curbing military actions abroad to shift the focus back to Americans struggling at home, the release said.
“Donald Trump’s policies are making basic necessities unaffordable for hardworking New Yorkers,” Gillibrand said in the release. “He promised to tackle rising costs, but instead he’s made everything worse. Prices on groceries, gas, and essentials have skyrocketed here at home, as he pours taxpayers dollars into a forever war abroad.”
“I will continue to demand accountability and fight for all Americans being crushed by these unsustainable costs.”
Gillibrand added that in light of increasing costs to New York residents, local food banks have been a key asset in keeping families afloat.
“These are real worries that families are struggling with, and we’re here to talk about what services the Food Bank does to help meet those needs,” she said. “Unfortunately, the Food Bank last year has helped 44.4 million people — that’s an unbelievable number to show how dire the need is that many families across New York and across America are food insecure.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices of staple items like fruits and vegetables climbed to 6.1%, and nonalcoholic beverages up 5.8%. Gillibrand continued to criticize the Trump administration for cuts to programming, such as SNAP, under the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which was passed last year.
Under the new law, according to the USDA, it contains several provisions that affect the program. These include changes to SNAP eligibility, benefits, and program administration.
“One of the worst things President Trump could do is in his ‘Big, ‘Horrible,’ Bill’, was when he decided to cut food stamps, to cut the SNAP programs,” Gillbrand said. “SNAP programs — a nutrition program — where the first dollar goes to a child, and the second dollar goes to a senior, and the third dollar goes to a first responder.”
“I mean, it’s really absurd that the people who are most at need and most at risk are the ones who are not providing emergency food relief to, and so that cynical cut to the SNAP program adds to the burden that these American families are facing,” Gillibrand added.
Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, also thanked Gillibrand for her support of local food banks, and addressed the needs of New Yorkers who are struggling to put food on the table due to inflation costs.
“The impact of inflation continues to force many of our neighbors to make impossible choices between food, medicine, rent, and other basic necessities,” Nardacci said in the release. “Across our 23-county New York service area, our network of more than 1,000 food pantries and meal programs is seeing increased demand and longer lines.”
“Families are turning to us simply to make ends meet, and it’s becoming harder for us to access food,” he added.
“We are proud to stand with Senator Gillibrand and our partners to meet this high community need to our best ability, and to demand action to alleviate strains the charitable food system faces.”
Senator Kirstin Gillibrand held press conferences across New York State – including in Latham, Utica, and Riverhead – to address the impact of rising grocery and household goods prices on working families. (Eden Stratton — MediaNews Group)