ANOTHER ISSUE NEW YORKERS ARE FACING IS FOOD INSECURITY.

AMID RISING INFLATION, MANY NEW YORKERS HAVE UNITED TO FOOD PANTRIES FOR GROCERIES BUT FOR THOSE WORKING AT FOOD PANTRIES, MEETING THE INCREASED DEMAND MAY NOT BE SO EASY BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY SAY IS STAGNANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE.

WE SAT DOWN WITH NATASHA PERNICKA, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE FOOD PANTRIES FOR THE CAPITAL DISTRICT AND ALLIANCE FOR HUNGER FOR NEW YORK TO LEARN MORE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY, NATASHA.

I'M REALLY GLAD TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I WANTED TO GET INTO THE STATE BUDGET.

THE STATE BUDGET, AS WE KNOW, PROVIDED FUNDING TO THE HUNGER PREVENTION, NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN NOURISH NEW YORK, BUT THERE WAS SOME CRITICISM FROM ADVOCATES AND PEOPLE WHO WORK WITHIN THE SECTOR WHO FEEL THAT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING ISN'T NECESSARILY ENOUGH.

I WANTED TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THERE CRITICISM.

YEAH.

THE ALLIANCE FORTH HUNGER FREE NEW YORK IS A COALITION OF FOOD PANTRIES ACROSS THE STATE AND I HAVE TO SAY WE'RE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.

SPECIFICALLY IN REGARDS TO HUNGER PREVENTION, NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS YOU SAID.

THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN A REALLY CRITICAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD PANTRIES.

NOT ONLY DOES IT PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SHELF STAPLE PANTRY ITEMS, BUT WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO PURCHASE PRODUCE AND IT ALLOWS FOR OPERATING COSTS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT PANTRIES ACTUALLY HAVE OPERATING EXPENSES, AS WELL AS NEED FUNDS TO PAY FOR FOOD.

MOST OF THE FOOD THAT GOES THROUGH THE FOOD PANTRY SYSTEM, PANTRIES ACTUALLY PAY FOR.

IT'S NOT JUST RELYING ON FOOD DRIVES AND DONATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, FOOD INFLATION HAS DRASTICALLY RISEN.

IN FACT, IT'S RISEN OVER 9% OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SO FOOD INFLATION HAS BEEN MUCH HIGHER THAN TYPICAL INFLATION.

SO NOT ONLY IS IT IMPACTING PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH IS CAUSING MORE PEOPLE TO TURN TO FOOD PANTRIES, ACROSS THE STATE WE'RE HAVING HISTORICALLY HIGH SERVICE LEVELS IN OUR FOOD PANTRY SYSTEM.

SO THE DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET FOR HUNGER PREVENTION NUTRITION ASSISTANCE IS A SMALL INCREASE IT'S A LITTLE BIT OVER 2%, BUT IT IS ESSENTIALLY STAGNANT OR ARE REALLY A NET LOSS IF YOU CONSIDER THE PURCHASING POWER THAT HAS BEEN DECREASED DUE TO INFLATION.

AT THE SAME TIME, HAVING INCREASED SERVICE LEVELS.

SO REALLY, THE STATE BUDGET, IN OUR OPINION, IS NEGLECT IN ADDRESSING THE CURRENT CRISIS THAT WE'RE FACING.

AND WHAT WERE YOUR CONVERSATIONS LIKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THE NEED TO SUPPORT FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD PANTRIES?

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS OUR FIRST YEAR TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR THE STATE BUDGET, AND YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD SOME RELATIONSHIPS WITH, YOU KNOW, ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, SENATORS AND WITHIN THE GOVERNOR'S CHAMBER.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A REAL CHAMPION WHO UNDERSTANDS THE CHARITABLE FOOD SYSTEM AND WHERE WE ARE TO FILL THE GAPS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ARE NOT BEING INVESTED IN, EVEN FROM A FEDERAL LEVEL, RIGHT.

SNAP BENEFITS ARE DOWN.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO GET $28 A MONTH FOR SNAP.

$28 A MONTH DOESN'T GO VERY FAR.

SO PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO FOOD PANTRIES AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF FOLKS WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CHARITABLE FOOD SYSTEM, THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, GO TO A FOOD PANTRY, GO TO A FOOD PANTRY AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO A FOOD PANTRY.

WE NEED REAL DOLLARS, REAL INVESTMENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE DIGNITY OF HAVING HEALTHY FOOD.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

MY HOPE IS FOR THE LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR AND HER STAFF TO TAKE A DEEP DIVE IN UNDERSTANDING HOW CAN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MOVE TOWARDS A HUNGER-FREE NEW YORK.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD LOVE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE ON IS LET'S MAKE NEW YORK ONE OF THE STATES THAT VALUES FOOD AS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AS A HUMAN RIGHT.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT MAINE HAS-- MAINE IS THE FIRST STATE IN THE UNITED STATES TO ADOPT FOOD AS A HUMAN RIGHT, AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE STATE DEDICATE RESOURCES TO BRING US ALL TOGETHER.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST FOOD PANTRIES.

YOU KNOW, THE STATE IS INVESTING IN MOVING THE NEEDLE ON UNIVERSAL FREE, HEALTHY MEALS FOR CHILDREN, BUT THEY HIT THAT MARK THIS YEAR EITHER.

YOU KNOW, WHILE THEY SUSTAINED THE FUNDING FROM LAST YEAR, THEY'RE STILL NOT COMMITTED TO ALL CHILDREN HAVING ACCESS TO HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS.

THIS YEAR, WE DID NOT SEE THE STATE PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL SNAP INCENTIVES, WHICH WAS ALSO A DISAPPOINTMENT.

YOU KNOW, NOURISH NEW YORK IS ANOTHER GREAT PROGRAM THAT THE STATE INVESTS IN.

IT'S A REAL WIN-WIN FOR OUR NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURE AND PRODUCERS.

AND THAT, AGAIN, FELL SHORT OF WHAT OUR HOPES WERE BECAUSE THAT NOURISH NEW YORK ALLOWS FOOD PANTRIES AND FOOD BANKS TO PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY AND MEATS FROM NEW YORK STATE PRODUCERS SO IT HELPS OUR ECONOMY HERE AND THE DOLLARS STAY IN NEW YORK.

AND WE WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT DIDN'T HIT THE MARK THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITABLE FOOD SYSTEM IN MAKING SURE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

AND DO YOU SEE A PATH FORWARD IN THE WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE POLICY ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED IN THE BUDGET, BUT THERE STILL IS ROOM OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS TO SORT OF PUSH THROUGH LEGISLATION.

DO YOU SEE A PATH FORWARD?

WELL, THERE WERE SOME LEGISLATIVE ADD-ONS TO HELP NOURISH NEW YORK.

WE ARE WORKING ON SETTING UP MEETINGS WITH SENATE MEMBERS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, AND WE WILL REACH OUT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOOD PANTRIES, THE FRONTLINE EMERGENCY FOOD PROVIDERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN PURCHASING DECISIONS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS NOW BECAUSE THIS ISN'T, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T EXPECT A QUICK FIX.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THE WEALTH DISPARITIES, IT'S NOT JUST IN NEW YORK.

IT'S ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WILL CONTINUE AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE FALLING SHORT OF HAVING ENOUGH RESOURCES.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE FORWARD-THINKING AS A STATE IN HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY.

THERE ARE-- THERE IS THE NEW YORK STATE HUNGER AND FOOD POLICY COUNCIL RUN OUT OF NEW YORK STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, BUT WE REALLY KNOW THAT THE BUDGET SPEAKS OF PRIORITIES AND THIS YEAR, HUNGER WAS NOT A PRIORITY FOR OUR STATE AND IT'S DISAPPOINTING, BUT I BELIEVE THAT COLLECTIVELY WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH SOME REAL BUDGET AND PROGRAMATIC SOLUTIONS OVER A THREE TO FIVE-YEAR PERIOD WHERE WE CAN BECOME A STATE THAT TRULY INVESTS IN FOOD SECURITY FOR OUR POPULATION HERE.

AND WHAT WOULD THOSE SOLUTIONS LOOK LIKE IN THE YEARS TO COME?

IT'S A COMBINATION OF MAKING SURE THAT SNAP BENEFITS ARE INCREASED AND EASY TO ACCESS FOR PEOPLE.

SNAP'S AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM BECAUSE IT GIVES THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THE DIGNITY OF MAKING THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT WHAT FOODS THEY'RE USED TO EATING OR THEIR KIDS WILL EAT.

I HAVE VERY PICKY KIDS.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO A GROCERY STORE AND SHOP AND CHOOSE THE THINGS THEY'RE USED TO EATING INSTEAD OF RELYING ON THE LIMITED INVENTORY IN FOOD PANTRIES AND FOOD BANKS.

OTHER AREAS, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL FALLING SHORT AND DO NEED TO TURN TO THE CHARITABLE FOOD SYSTEM, THE NOURISH NEW YORK PROGRAM IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY AGAIN.

I WOULD NOT ONLY INVEST IN OUR LOCAL NEW YORK STATE PRODUCERS BUT IT ALSO GETS HEALTHY AND FRESH FOOD OUT TO THE CHARITABLE FOOD SYSTEM.

THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS IS ESSENTIAL.

THAT'S A NO-BRAINER.

WE KNOW THAT KIDS NEED ACCESS TO FOOD AND IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REDUCE THE STIGMA OF FREE SCHOOL SO THAT ALL KIDS FEEL COMFORTABLE WITHOUT HAVING THE STIGMA OF BEING A FREE LUNCH KID.

THOSE ARE SOME AREAS.

ALSO WIC BENEFITS, IMPROVING ACCESS.

I DO KNOW THAT THE STATE HAS PLANS ON MAKING PUBLIC BENEFITS EASIER TO NAVIGATE.

HOWEVER, THE STATE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

SO MAYBE WE CAN PUT SOME PRESSURE ON MOVING THAT SYSTEM FORWARD TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE.

BECAUSE IF PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON FEDERAL ASSISTANCE THAT GETS THROUGH THE STATE HAVING AN EASY WAY TO APPLY, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SUMMER EBT PROGRAM.

THAT'S COMING THROUGH FEDERAL, HOWEVER, THIS NEW WAY OF SUMMER EBT DOES REQUIRE SOME PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM AND THERE'S A REALLY QUICK TURNAROUND THIS YEAR.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, INVENTORYING ALL OF THE FOOD-RELATED PROGRAMS, CONGREGANT MEAL SITES FOR OLDER ADULTS AND HOME-DELIVERED MEALS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND FOOD AS MEDICINE.

I'M LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS.

SO IT'S MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GREAT PROGRAMS HAVE THE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE POPULATIONS THAT THEY'RE MEANT TO EVERY IS.

SO THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

WHAT DO WE NEED FOR ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS TO HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS?

RIGHT?

THAT'S A STARTING POINT.

CERTAINLY AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE FOR NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US ABOUT THIS TODAY.

GREAT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

WE ARE SPEAKING WITH NATASHA PERNICKAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD PANTRIES FOR THE CAPITAL DISTRICT AND THE ALLIANCE FOR A HUNGER FREE NEW YORK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FOOD INSECURITY IN THE STATE, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.