Overview

Beginning November 1, 2025, over 1.7 million New Yorkers are at risk of losing access to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the Trump Administration’s refusal to deploy emergency SNAP funding.

The New York City Council is closely monitoring this crisis and coordinating with partners across all five boroughs to protect access to food and ensure no New Yorker is left behind.

What’s Happening Federally

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has halted food shipments under the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and suspended emergency SNAP funding.
• This decision contradicts earlier guidance showing that contingency funds were available to prevent these cuts.
• Because SNAP is entirely federally funded, states and cities cannot replace these dollars—meaning families who lose access will feel the effects immediately.

What New York State Is Doing

• Governor Hochul announced $30 million in emergency food assistance—enough to provide more than 16 million meals statewide—plus $11 million in prior relief for food banks.
• Attorney General Letitia James has joined a 25-state lawsuit against the USDA for withholding approximately $6 billion in unused contingency funds and violating federal law.

How the New York City Council Is Responding

In anticipation of this crisis, this Council has consistently called for full restoration of federal food aid and has invested in local food access through the FY2026 budget:

• $15 million for emergency food programs across all boroughs.
• $13 million “Feeding Our Communities” initiative to strengthen pantries and soup kitchens.
• Increased Food Pantries Initiative funding from $8.26M to $10.46M.
• $1.4 million for SNAP outreach, eligibility, and recertification assistance.
• Expanded Community Food Connection (CFC) at HRA to $57 million total to sustain citywide emergency food distribution.

The Council has also advanced resolutions to address long-term food insecurity:

• Res. 0227-2024: Calls for a renewed federal Farm Bill to increase food aid.
• Res. 0057-2024: Urges New York State to close eligibility gaps for adults over 55.

Local Action: Central Bronx / District 18

In the Central Bronx, where food insecurity and SNAP use are among the highest in the city, the Council is working with Food Bank for New York City and City Harvest to fortify local food networks.

• Increasing supply to high-SNAP-use neighborhoods.
• Mobilizing Community Response Partners — trusted high-capacity sites that can quickly expand food distribution in emergencies.
• Coordinating additional distributions for federal workers, seniors, and SNAP recipients impacted by the shutdown.

Where to Find Food Right Now

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, the following resources are available:

1. Call 311 and say “food assistance.”
2. Visit:
   
   • HRA Community Food Connection Directory
     
   • DYCD Food Pantries Borough-Wide Directory
     
   • Food Bank NYC “Find Food” Tool
     

City Council Food Drive

The Council is organizing a Citywide Food Drive from November 3 – December 12 to support pantries and emergency providers.
Priority items: canned proteins (tuna, beans, chicken), whole grains, nut butters, and shelf-stable milk alternatives.

Drop-Off Locations:

• City Hall (Periwinkle Room)
• 250 Broadway, 7th–8th–14th–15th–16th–17th–18th–26th Floors

Every donation will directly support our network of community partners serving New Yorkers most affected by the shutdown.

A Message from the Majority Leader

The New York City Council anticipated the risk of federal interruptions to food assistance programs and acted in advance to protect New Yorkers from their impact. Through proactive planning, we secured significant local funding for emergency food distribution, expanded support for community-based pantries, and strengthened coordination with partners across all five boroughs.

As more than 1.7 million residents face potential disruptions to their federal SNAP benefits, these investments are providing stability where federal inaction has created uncertainty. Our Council remains in continuous communication with the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, the Human Resources Administration, and organizations such as the Food Bank for New York City to ensure that critical food resources reach those who need them most.

Food is not expendable. It is a basic necessity and a shared responsibility of government at every level. The Council will continue advocating for the full restoration of federal aid and for long-term policy solutions that prevent food insecurity from becoming a recurring crisis.