A Letter from the Desk of Jilly Stephens

An Update on Food Insecurity in NYC One Year After the Shutdown  

November 5, 2026

A year ago, New Yorkers faced uncertainty as significant reductions to food assistance through H.R. 1, coupled with a federal government shutdown, threatened to make it even harder for thousands of our neighbors to put food on the table.

Because of you, City Harvest was ready to respond.

Together, we rescued and delivered nearly 90 million pounds of food last year, exceeding our original plan by more than 3 million pounds. At a time of growing need, that meant more nutritious food reached families, children, older adults, and individuals across all five boroughs.

While much has changed over the past year, the challenges continue.

More than 26,000 New Yorkers recently lost their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the first phase of new work-reporting requirements, and many more could see their benefits reduced. Under the new rules, New Yorkers who do not meet the requirements for any three months could lose access to SNAP until October 2029.

This week’s election results may spark conversation about the future of federal policy in Washington, D.C., but the reality for so many of our fellow New Yorkers who are struggling remains unchanged. The steepest cuts in H.R. 1 are already locked in: when the full SNAP reductions take effect in 2027, New York City could lose the equivalent of more than 250 million meals annually at a time when food insecurity is already at record levels.

We are already getting calls from partner food pantries requesting more food to ensure there is enough for everyone who is turning to them. These changes will place even greater pressure on food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food providers across our city. They also underscore the importance of ensuring organizations like City Harvest have the flexibility to respond quickly and effectively as needs evolve.

Partners like you help make that possible. Every day, we rescue nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it, free of charge, to New Yorkers who need it most. With your continued support, we will be ready to meet the growing need for food assistance in our city in the months ahead.

Thank you for standing with City Harvest and helping us build a stronger, more food-secure New York.

All best wishes, 

Jilly Stephens
City Harvest CEO