Over 200 advocates gathered in Manhattan for a conference on food security across New York State. The New York Health Foundation organized the event and said in their press release it was sparked by "recent federal funding cuts threatening the integrity of critical food assistance programs." Panelists discussed how to respond to these changes and how to protect New Yorkers. SNAP cuts and immigration crackdowns have impacted food pantries and agricultural nonprofits.

Josh Stephani, the Director of the Adirondack Food System Network, said "We've actually had some food pantries reporting their numbers have cut in half because they're fearful; many of their clients and their guests, especially their non-English speakers, are fearful to attend."

Julia McCarthy, a Senior Program Officer at New York Health, introduced her panelists to an eager audience. "When we surveyed grantees ahead of this conference, we asked people who they wanted to hear from, and the answer was very clear. People wanted to hear from other local advocates to know what was working in their region and what was making them excited. And so I'm really delighted today to be able to ask three New Yorkers who are working in their own communities to ensure that there not only is access to food, but there is choice and dignity in accessing that food."

A Co-Executive Director at Catskills Agrarian Alliance, Francis Yu, helped represent the region at the conference. Their organization helps marginalized farmers and connects producers to consumers. They said, "It's been really great to listen in on what folks are doing around the state and just see some colleagues who are doing amazing work in their respective places across New York." They said the Alliance is responding to the changing landscape under President Trump's new budget. "We're seeing longer lines at the pantry. We're seeing more intake demand from these organizations, from hungry people and hungry families. And what we're seeing now with this administration is the severe cuts and setbacks that have in many cases terminated programs that were funding this kind of essential support."

The conference met on October 14th at the New York Bar Association near Times Square. It included a presentation about food access for the elderly, in addition to the panels, and a keynote speech by Corby Kummer, the Executive Director of Food and Society at the Aspen Institute. David Sandman, President and CEO of NYHealth, reflected, "We brought together leaders to strengthen advocacy, share best practices to adapt to federal changes, and protect access to healthy, affordable food for all New Yorkers."

Photo Credit: Francis Yu of the Catskills Agrarian Alliance. Photo by Annie Bennett.