WITH FOOD BANKS STRUGGLING AS NEW GOP SNAP CUTS TAKE EFFECT, SCHUMER VISITS FAMILY OF NEW PALTZ FOOD PANTRY & ANNOUNCES NEW LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN SNAP FOR HUDSON VALLEY[...]

Last Week Trump Threatened To Withhold SNAP Funding From New York And Twenty-One Other Democratic-Led States As Food Banks See Surging Need And Grocery Prices Skyrocket From Tariffs

Over The Summer, Trump Rushed To Pass Largest Cut To SNAP In History - Nearly $200 BILLION - To Fund Tax Breaks For Billionaires With Those Cuts Beginning Now; Schumer Says These Cruel SNAP Cuts Hurt Our Families, Farmers & Food Banks And Now Is Announcing New Legislation To Keep Hudson Valley Families Fed, Reverse Anti-Hunger Cuts

Schumer: We Must Take Care Of Hudson Valley Families And That Means Protecting SNAP

After Trump threatened to withhold SNAP funding from New York and twenty-one other Democratic-led states, and as Hudson Valley food banks face overwhelming demand just as GOP SNAP cuts start to take effect, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday visited the Family of New Paltz Food Pantry in Ulster County and announced his new legislation - the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act - to repeal the devastating SNAP cuts set to rip away food from thousands of hungry kids and families across America. Schumer said New Yorkers are already struggling to feed their families amid rising grocery costs due to tariffs, and losing vital food assistance because of the cuts in the Republican budget, causing advocates to warn of a hunger crisis.

"SNAP isn't an abstract policy or a number in a spreadsheet; it's food, dignity, and survival for thousands of families here in the Hudson Valley. The holidays are quickly approaching, and what should be a time of peace and gathering for some families is more stressful than ever. Food banks are already overwhelmed because of rising grocery costs due to tariffs. Now, families are being hit with devastating cuts to food assistance and Trump is threatening to withhold even more SNAP assistance, targeting New Yorkers, which could hurtle us to a hunger crisis," said Senator Schumer. "That's why I introduced the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act. This bill will protect SNAP and stop thousands of New Yorkers from going hungry, and ensure every family has the basic security and dignity of food on the table. This is not a partisan issue; it is a moral issue."

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest anti-hunger program in the United States and a lifeline for nearly 3 million NY seniors, veterans, and families who rely on the critical funding to purchase groceries. SNAP provides an average of $187 per month in food aid to over 42 million people nationwide. 3 million New Yorkers receive SNAP benefits, including more than 220,111 in the Hudson Valley. A county-by-county breakdown for those in the Hudson Valley on SNAP can be found below:

Schumer and colleagues' new Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act would reverse the SNAP cuts enacted in Republicans' "Big, Ugly Betrayal," helping families put food on the table, food banks keep shelves stocked, and local farmers sell their local food products. The entire Democratic caucus has signed on to co-sponsor the legislation. The full text for the legislation can be seen HERE. The Republican-passed 'Big, Beautiful Bill' last month began to rip away food benefits from millions of Americans, with even more cuts set to come in 2027 and 2028, eventually slashing or shutting off benefits for 4 million Americans and totaling nearly $200 BILLION in food assistance cuts, all to help pay for bigger tax breaks for billionaires. Just last week, Trump also threatened to cut off food assistance, targeting New York and other states led by Democrats.

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "SNAP is one of the most effective and bipartisan anti-hunger programs in American history, yet the Trump administration has chosen to make cuts so deep they are driving a food insecurity crisis in New York and across this country. SNAP cuts are harming entire community ecosystems: farmers are losing markets, grocery stores are losing customers, food banks are in overdrive trying to meet the needs of families who have been left without the means to put food on the table. We're grateful to Senator Schumer for standing with us in our fight against this disgraceful abdication of duty by our federal government."

In Ulster County, 24,080 residents - 13.2% of the county - are affected by food insecurity according to Feeding America. The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York provided nearly 4 million pounds of food across the county in 2024. The Family of New Paltz Food Pantry has already seen skyrocketing demand this fall. In November, the food pantry served 307 households and is expecting to serve more than one thousand households in December, an increase of 350% compared to November. Ulster County has already redirected $350,000 of county funds to food pantries due to overwhelming need amid SNAP cuts.

According to new data from Hunger Free America, New York families are being slammed by higher prices at the grocery store. Half of New York families said they could not afford balanced meals, 24% said they were forced to buy less nutritious food for their children, 31% said they had to reduce portion sizes for their children, and 19% said they had to skip meals for their children. More than half of families said they were forced to obtain free food from food charities, with 60% having to wait an hour or more for food, and 57% going to agencies that ran out of food.

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