Joint Statement on Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State Address

Joint Statement on Governor Kathy Hochul's 2026 State of the State Address

Jan 16, 2026| Blog, Blog Featured Articles, News, News Featured Articles

January 16, 2026

Addressing hunger starts with vision and requires real investments. City Harvest, Food Bank For New York City, and United Way of New York City stand together in appreciation for the vision Governor Kathy Hochul presented in her 2026 State of the State Address to Make New York More Affordable. Any budget that aims to meaningfully improve the lives of millions of New Yorkers must directly address the state's affordability crisis. We stand united in confidence that the Governor can fulfill her vision of making life more affordable by fully investing in food access, protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and investing in programs that provide budget relief for millions of hardworking families struggling to meet their basic needs.

As leaders of organizations deeply embedded in communities across New York City, we urge the Governor and our state leaders to take bold steps in the upcoming budget cycle to strengthen food security by expanding funding for both the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Nourish New York, increasing each to $75M for a total of $150M. Together, these programs are New York State's primary support for emergency food providers, which were already strained by a nearly 90 percent increase in demand, even before the most significant federal cuts to SNAP begin to phase in this year. Additionally, adequate investments in New York State's SNAP administration and SNAP outreach programs are essential to help offset historic federal cuts to SNAP.

We are encouraged by new investments in food security programs in the Governor's affordability agenda, including a new program called NY PLATES, which will provide capital support for food pantries, helping them meet increasing community demand for food. We also applaud her commitment to expanding access to summer meals and summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), all of which will help more New York families close the meal gap.

We commend the Governor for proposing bold investments in order to:

Deliver Universal Child Care for children under five. Access to reliable, affordable childcare will be transformative for millions of New Yorkers who are driven to food pantries due to the rising cost of childcare. Data shows that more than 80 percent of New York City families are unable to afford care for even one child. By addressing this basic household expense and driver of unaffordability, New York is taking tangible steps to provide real budget relief for families.

Protect SNAP households from skimming theft by replacing SNAP EBT cards with more secure technology. Improving this technology will help prevent SNAP EBT card data and benefits from being stolen at point of sale, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring New York families can put food on the table.

Bring Down Housing Costs to help keep more New Yorkers in their homes. New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity are 62 percent more likely to face housing instability, underscoring the intersectionality of hunger and housing. In a state where rent frequently comes before groceries, expanding access to affordable housing is key to improving food security.

Along with Governor Hochul, our organizations are confident that together, we can achieve these priorities and build a stronger, more affordable New York where everyone-no matter their zip code-can thrive with dignity. But we need you. Join us in advocating for a budget that prioritizes access to food and secures budget relief for our most vulnerable New York neighbors.

We remain committed to working alongside the Governor and her administration to ensure every New Yorker has access to the resources they need to lead a healthy, dignified life. Learn more about how you can support our mission by visiting our websites: City Harvest, Food Bank For New York City, and United Way of New York City.