City Harvest Programs » Advocacy
Nutrition Assistance
A number of government programs can be of help to New Yorkers in need of food. Some are benefits programs that increase individuals’ purchasing power, while others provide food directly. City Harvest seeks to connect communities with these programs to increase the food resources available to communities in need.
A description of key programs, target audiences, and administering agencies are listed below. More information, including eligibility guidelines and applications for benefits, can be found by clicking on the links.
Benefits available to individuals
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly know as the “Food Stamp Program”, is designed to enable people with limited income to increase their ability to purchase food. The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides SNAP benefits through the use of an electronic benefits card (EBT) that is used instead of cash to purchase food items at participating grocery stores and supermarkets. An increase to SNAP benefits was recently approved in the Federal Economic Stimulus Package.
More information about the program can be found on the websites of administering agencies: Human Resources Administration (HRA) on the city level, and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) on the state level.
The WIC Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides food with targeted nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and folic acid, to populations at risk for deficiencies. Traditionally, WIC provided mostly milk and cheese, baby formula, juice, and fortified cereals, but in 2009 the WIC package was updated to include fruits and vegetables.
Benefits available to agencies
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides funding and food commodities to food pantries, soup kitchens, and other emergency food programs.
The Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) supplements the work of pantries, kitchens, and shelters assisting residents of New York City in economic emergency. This program is run by the United Way.
Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) provides assistance for food, operating costs, food service equipment, food safety and sanitation supplies, and nutrition technical assistance to nonprofit emergency feeding programs throughout New York State. This program is run by the NYS Department of Health.
