To stave off impending food crisis, state, city electeds turn to local food pantries

Despite New York State (NYS) Attorney General Letitia James and others waging a serious legal fight, there will likely be a delay in food assistance for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients because of the month-long government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, ahead of this holiday season.

- By ARIAMA C. LONG

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) office located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn in October 2025. (Ariama C. Long photos)

(Ariama C. Long)

About 42 million people nationwide rely on SNAP benefits. New York state has about 2.9 million people utilizing SNAP benefits, with 1.8 million of those in New York City. Most are older adults, children, or people with disabilities experiencing food insecurity. In response to a potential food crisis, the state committed $65 million in additional emergency food funds as well as volunteer staffing to support food banks and pantries.

"The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas, and farmers along the way," said Gov. Kathy Hochul in a statement. "Unlike Washington Republicans, I won't sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table."