NYS is in a Hunger Crisis

• In a report by the NYS Department of Health in early January 2024, 1 in 4 New York adults are experiencing food insecurity. 

• According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) Report for 2022, 12.8% (17.0 million households) were food insecure.

• Alliance Members (Food Pantries) have reported service level increases of 20–100% year over year (2022–2023).

• Alliance Members (Food Pantries) have reported service level increases up to 600% from pre-pandemic (2020–2023).

• We have seen a 9.1% increase in the cost of food since April 2022, when the last major increase to HPNAP and Nourish NY was made.

• Our minimum estimate based on last year's spending is that in 2024, food pantries, food rescues, and soup kitchens will need to spend significantly over $122.5 million on food alone (not including staff or operations), above and beyond what they receive through the food bank system.