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Volunteer to engage your community, fight hunger, and advocate for a more equitable and sustainable food system.

Our Policy Platform

  • #1: Address the Root Causes of Hunger

    Advance policies that go beyond emergency food assistance to address the root causes of hunger and the systemic inequities that disproportionately impact food-insecure communities. 

  • #2: Create an Equitable and Sustainable Food System

    Promote a food system that nourishes people, supports workers, growers, and responsible businesses, and ensures that food reaches people rather than landfills. 

  • #3: Strengthen Government Programs

    Protect and expand access to income-based public benefit programs so that all New Yorkers can afford the food they need. Ensure program eligibility and benefit levels reflect the true cost of living and support long-term food security.

  • #4: Bolster NYC’s Charitable Food Network

    Ensure food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters have the resources needed to meet growing demand and provide access to nutritious food that reflects individual preferences, cultural traditions, and religious requirements, including Halal and Kosher options. 

    Read our full Policy Platform.

Our Advocacy Work

2026 Advocacy Highlights

This year, we’ve engaged thousands of advocates like you to push for public policies that invest in food security. Learn more here.

Joint Statement on the FY27 New York City Budget

Read the joint statement from City Harvest, Food Bank For New York City, and United Way of New York City.

Joint Statement on the FY27 New York State Budget

Read the joint statement from City Harvest, Food Bank For New York City, and United Way of New York City.

Legislative Breakfast

We hosted a Legislative Breakfast in January on the impact of federal cuts on food security in NYC

Joint Statement in Response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State Address

Read the joint statement from City Harvest, Food Bank For New York City, and United Way of New York City.

2025 Advocacy Awards

Please join us in celebrating the collective accomplishments of our 2025 City Harvest Advocacy Award recipients, including 23 City Harvest food pantry partners and a record-breaking 37 exceptional individual City Harvest volunteers.

Policy and Advocacy Stats from the Past Year:

3,000

Advocates engaged in our city and state budget campaigns

200

collective hours of advocacy volunteers engaging community members in campaigns 

138

Meetings with lawmakers to elevate food security priorities and advocate for stronger anti-hunger policies

40+

Pantry leaders and advocates mobilized for advocacy days in Albany and Washington, D.C., bringing community voices directly to policymakers

50

Advocacy volunteers activated to engage community members, contributing more than 200 hours toward outreach and grassroots organizing

$253M

Secured in city and state funding for food pantries and food banks through coordinated advocacy efforts

25

Policy memos and coalition letters delivered to policymakers advocating for stronger food security and community nutrition programs

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Testimonies & Comments

City Harvest supports food pantries and everyday New Yorkers by amplifying the voices of our neighbors through public testimonies and comments that we submit to all levels of government. Please find our recent official comments and testimonies on behalf of anti-hunger policies and programs below.

Hunger, Food Security & Changes to SNAP Hearing

Read the testimony of City Harvest before the City Council on HR1 and the challenges it poses to the City’s budget.

Testimony to NYC Council General Welfare Committee

Read the testimony of City Harvest before the City Council General Welfare Committee and learn more about our local policy priorities.

Testimony of City Harvest Before the New York State Assembly & Senate Committee on Health/Medicaid

Read the testimony of City Harvest before the New York State Assembly & Senate Committee on Health/Medicaid from February 10, 2026.

Advocacy Archive

Learn more about our past policy and advocacy efforts.

Browse Our Advocacy Archive
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