Gov. Hochul declares emergency as SNAP cuts loom vows no tax hikes or Albany recall | amNewYork

"That decision has drawn widespread criticism, with opponents calling it a political ploy by the Trump Administration, and it is now the subject of a legal battle that argues that the USDA has access to more than $6 billion in contingency funds that Congress specifically set aside to maintain food assistance during funding lapses, but has unlawfully refused to use them."

"New York is among 25 states suing the Trump administration to compel the release of emergency SNAP funds. This is a manufactured, self-inflicted crisis that the Republicans think somehow is a political gain for them, Hochul told reporters at the Common Pantry in East Harlem while announcing the additional funding. This is not a bailout for the federal government, because it's their job to feed Americans. They always have, and that's what they have to do."

"The funding includes $40 million for the state's Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which collaborates with approximately 2,700 emergency food providers, and $25 million for the Nourish NY initiative, which purchases surplus food from farmers for distribution to food banks and pantries. State officials estimate that the support will provide approximately 40 million meals. Hochul also directed Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps members to assist food banks facing staffing shortages and rising demand."

New York declared a state of emergency and committed $65 million in new state funding for food programs as a federal SNAP benefits cutoff approaches for nearly 1.8 million NYC residents. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has refused to release federally approved contingency funds during the government shutdown, prompting criticism and a legal challenge by 25 states that say the agency is unlawfully withholding more than $6 billion Congress set aside for such lapses. The state funding directs $40 million to Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance and $25 million to Nourish NY, an estimated 40 million meals. State service corps members were assigned to assist strained food banks.

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