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Advocate for city, state, and federal policies that address hunger in New York City. Sign up for action alerts today.
Support Solutions to End Food Waste and Hunger
As proud members of the Zero Food Waste Coalition, we’re calling on Congress to support bold, commonsense legislation to tackle the food waste crisis at its roots.
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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
Advocate for policies that end hunger by addressing its root causes and confronting systemic inequities that disproportionately impact food insecure communities.
#2: Strengthen Government Programs
Strengthen and expand eligibility for income-based government benefit programs so that all New Yorkers can feed themselves and their families, ensuring that benefits reflect the true cost of living.
#3: Bolster NYC’s Charitable Food Network
Ensure that New York City’s food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelter networks have the resources to provide all food-insecure New Yorkers with access to food that accommodates individual and cultural preferences, and religious requirements, including Halal and Kosher.
#4: Create an Equitable and Sustainable Food System
Advocate for a food system that benefits workers, growers, and businesses that value their workforce, the environment, health and nutrition, and the local economy.
Our Advocacy Work
City Harvest Government Shutdown Response
With the reopening of the federal government, our neighbors will have some relief from the uncertainty they have experienced over the past 43 days. 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.
A Letter from the Desk of Jilly Stephens
Read a letter from our CEO in response to the halt of SNAP benefits due to the shutdown.
A Letter from the Desk of Jilly Stephens
Read a letter from our CEO in response to the government shutdown.
Advocacy Season 2025
This year, we’ve engaged thousands of advocates like you to push for public policies that invest in food security. Learn more here.
A Letter from the Desk of Jilly Stephens
Read a letter from our CEO in response to the catastrophic cuts to food assistance.
A Letter from the Desk of Jilly Stephens
Read a letter from our CEO in response to the Senate vote.
Policy and Advocacy Stats from the Past Year:
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.
Testimony to NYS Assembly Committee on Human Services
Read the testimony of City Harvest before the New York State Assembly Committee on Human Services from February 12, 2025.
Testimony to NYC Council General Welfare Committee
Read the testimony of City Harvest before the New York City Council General Welfare Committee from March 17, 2025.
Testimony to NYC Council General Welfare Committee
Read the testimony of City Harvest before the New York City Council General Welfare Committee from April 3, 2025.