The Federal Government Reopens but Food Assistance in NYC is at a Record High

As neighbors helping neighbors, we are strongest when we come together.

November 13, 2025

We, along with millions of New Yorkers, are relieved that SNAP and WIC will now be funded through next year and hard-working federal employees will receive their paychecks. With the reopening of the federal government last night, our neighbors will have some relief from the uncertainty they have experienced over the past 43 days.

The unprecedented disruption to SNAP last week gave us a glimpse of what happens when food assistance is interrupted, and it highlighted what we already know: SNAP is a critical and effective program. We saw the impact when $8 billion in SNAP benefits were withheld, leaving 1.8 million New Yorkers and millions more across the country uncertain about how to feed their families. Even before the shutdown, the need for food assistance in New York City–one of the world’s most affluent cities–was at the highest level on record. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July will cut a historic $186 billion from SNAP. With the end of the government shutdown, we know many will move on. But at City Harvest we face the stark reality that 1 in 6 New Yorkers, including 1 in 4 children, was experiencing food insecurity before the shutdown, and they still are today. 

Cuts to SNAP that will continue to take effect in the months ahead will be devastating for our fellow New Yorkers, and we know City Harvest will not be able to fill the gap. But, with the support of our community, we are committed to doing everything we can to provide as much food as possible to anyone who needs it in New York City. Thank you to everyone who stepped up with us over the past few weeks for our neighbors. As we look ahead, we will be rescuing and delivering food every day for our neighbors who are depending on us today, while advocating to mitigate the impact on our fellow New Yorkers, and preparing for when countless more may find themselves in need of food assistance in the months to come. As neighbors helping neighbors, we are strongest when we come together, and together we can ensure that every family in our city can put food on the table no matter what happens.