Long Island food banks push for $150 million in statewide aid as food insecurity grows
Island Harvest and Long Island Cares, along with other state partners, are advocating for $150 million in total statewide for two programs: Hunger Prevention & Nutrition Assistance (HPNAP) and Nourish NY.
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Long Island food banks are asking the state for more help to combat food insecurity.
Island Harvest and Long Island Cares, along with other state partners, are advocating for $150 million in total statewide for two programs: Hunger Prevention & Nutrition Assistance (HPNAP) and Nourish NY.
Island Harvest says the $150 million is about $22.2 million more than Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed budget.
Both food banks say that with thousands of Long Islanders expected to lose access to SNAP because of new federal work requirements, along with the rising costs of food, gas and living, additional support is needed.
"Food insecurity is rising across Long Island," says Gregory May, director of Government & Community Relations for Island Harvest Food Bank. "That's going to take some effort for us to make up for, for every one meal the food bank provides, SNAP provides nine."
"When you compare March of 2025 to March 2026, we actually increased distribution by 25%...and that's due to people's uncertainty around SNAP, people losing benefits," says Michael Haynes, vice president of Government Relations for Long Island Cares.
Both food banks say the money would be used to purchase and distribute food.
"We [Island Harvest] would receive, between $500,000 and $1 million of that money," says May. "We're able to spend money at Long Island farms, bringing additional food."
"Not only can we [Long Island Cares] help the increased numbers, but we can buy the more expensive, highly nutritious lean proteins and fresh produce," says Haynes.
The state budget for fiscal year 2027 has still not been approved. But local food banks hope it'll be done soon.
"The food costs a lot of money and we have to get creative in the grants that we go after at our own purchasing to meet the need," says Haynes.
News 12 has reached out to Hochul's office for comment and is waiting to hear back.
