The Nourish New York program, designed to address food insecurity and support local farmers, has distributed over 100 million meals to families across the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday. Initially launched in May 2020 as an emergency response to the pandemic, the program connects New York’s surplus agricultural products with those in need through food banks.
Gov. Hochul, who codified the program into law in 2021, celebrated the milestone as a testament to the state’s commitment to combating hunger and supporting local agriculture. “Over the last four years, the impact of Nourish New York has skyrocketed,” she said. “There’s no better time to share this incredible milestone and reaffirm my commitment to providing critical support to those in need than during the holiday season.”
To date, the initiative has provided funding to food banks across the state, enabling them to purchase more than 118 million pounds of food from 4,472 New York farms and food producers. With $50 million in annual funding, the program helps alleviate hunger while providing economic support to farms that faced market losses during the pandemic.
The program’s success has drawn praise from state officials, community leaders, and agricultural partners. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball called it a “critical pipeline” connecting farms to those in need, while New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized the program’s role in improving health outcomes by providing nutritious food to vulnerable populations.
Legislators and food industry representatives highlighted the program’s dual impact on food security and economic sustainability. State Senator Michelle Hinchey described Nourish New York as a model of “smart, compassionate policy,” and Reeves Farms Co-owner Karin Reeves called it a “win-win” for both farms and food banks.
Since its inception, Nourish New York has become a cornerstone of New York’s broader efforts to address food insecurity. Additional initiatives include the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, the Farm-to-School program, and the recently signed legislation ensuring that whole milk and other dairy products qualify for the Nourish New York initiative.
Gov. Hochul reiterated her administration’s commitment to expanding access to fresh, locally produced food, stating, “This milestone is just the beginning. We will continue to invest in innovative programs that lift up our farmers and ensure no New Yorker goes hungry.”
