“Food stamps” by wort3 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Governor Kathy Hochul allocates $65 million in emergency funding for food banks, bracing for what she calls a “public health crisis” as the national food stamp program is set to expire.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul of New York declared a state of emergency on Thursday, authorizing the immediate release of $65 million to support food banks and pantries across the state. The move is a direct response to the impending lapse of federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, which is set to expire on November 1, threatening the food security of millions of New Yorkers.

The governor’s emergency declaration comes amid a protracted federal government shutdown that has stalled congressional funding for SNAP, a critical safety net for approximately 42 million Americans. In New York alone, nearly three million people, including one million children and over 600,000 older adults, rely on the program. “We are staring down a public health crisis,” Governor Hochul said in a statement, as published in Reuters. She placed the responsibility on the federal government, stating, “New York will not sit idly by when lives are on the line.” The state has also joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, demanding the release of emergency funds to keep the program operational.

The impending shutdown of the SNAP program has sent shockwaves through a network of charitable food providers already strained by rising food costs and increased demand. Food banks, which supplement the groceries that families purchase with SNAP benefits, have warned that they cannot possibly absorb the entirety of the need should the federal program be suspended. Anti-hunger advocates have described the situation as a “true hunger crisis” in the making, with the most vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and veterans, facing the most immediate risk.

The current crisis highlights the critical role of federal food assistance programs and the severe consequences that can arise from political gridlock in Washington. While state-level emergency funding will provide a temporary buffer, the long-term stability of food security for millions of Americans remains in jeopardy. The situation continues to evolve as lawmakers in Washington face mounting pressure to resolve the shutdown and restore funding to essential programs like SNAP before the November 1 deadline.

Based on the original article published by Reuters, available at: https://www.investing.com/news/general-news/new-york-declares-state-of-emergency-to-fund-food-banks-as-federal-food-aid-set-to-lapse-4320555

This video from Reuters explains the growing demand for rescued produce in New York City amidst federal cuts to food assistance programs: Demand for rescued produce grows in NYC amid federal cuts

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