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Close to 4 million tons of food waste ends up in New York City landfills yearly, which comprises 20% of the city's waste. (Adobe Stock)

NYC nonprofit helps communities fight food insecurity

A New York City nonprofit is helping communities fight food insecurity. Rethink Food began in 2017 with the mission of taking excess food from top …

In 2022, there was a 1,700% increase in hard clams in Shinnecock Bay and more than 110 acres of seagrass was regrown. (Adobe Stock)

NY Indigenous women use seaweed to conserve shellfish

By Alexandra Talty for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Enacting the Good Food NY bill could help the 139 black-owned farms in New York state have better access to procurement contracts since it eliminates poor access to information about opportunities to compete for institutional food contracts. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill implements value-based standards for food procurement

A New York bill would change food procurement laws for municipal institutions. The Good Food New York Act would allow municipal institutions to use …

Weill Cornell Medicine notes that, along with drinking water to remain hydrated in extreme heat, foods such as watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit and homemade popsicles can work well, too. (Adobe Stock)

NY medical professional advises best ways to beat the heat

New York doctors are advising people how to stay healthy in the summer heat. Temperatures across the state will reach the high 80s and mid-90s in …

The number of young children ages 3 and 4 not in school remained the same before and after the pandemic at 42%, which is lower than the national average of 54%. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY kids’ pandemic-era education troubles persist

A new report found New York kids' well-being is improving despite lingering pandemic issues. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

Some 60% of restaurant workers who complete Restaurant Opportunities Centers United's CHOW training got a $2 to $3 per hour pay increase. (Adobe Stock)

Workforce training helps NY workers know their rights

New York restaurant workers need to know their rights to better navigate their workplaces. A new report finds high rates of what it calls …

The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities found New York could see a $73,239,000 reduction in fruit and vegetable benefits for people in the WIC program. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed WIC cuts could prove detrimental to NY families

Congress' proposed cuts to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children will have significant effects on New York …

A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report estimates at least two billion people worldwide eat insects. Globally, more than 1,900 insect species are considered edible, particularly those in tropical countries. The most commonly eaten insect groups include beetles, caterpillars, bees, wasps, ants and grasshoppers. (Adobe Stock)

NY Chef Changing Minds on Eating Insects

By Whitney Bauck for The Guardian.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Buffalo's East Side is still reeling after the racially-motivated shooting in a local grocery store in May. The store's Friday reopening has only drummed up controversy about whether it should be back in business. (Adobe Stock)

East Buffalo Tops Store Reopens Amid Neighborhood Ambivalence

The Tops supermarket in Buffalo, where a racially-motivated gunman killed 10 people and injured three, has reopened today, almost two months since …

The HEAL Food Alliance is making small grants to organizations across the country that are helping workers who find themselves underwater in the 'informal economy.' (Adobe Stock)

HEAL Grant Bolsters Workers' Center Programs in Central NY

An organization in Central New York is getting a funding boost to help workers who are still struggling with the financial effects of the pandemic…

New York City launched a community schools initiative in 2014. A study three years later found it had a positive impact on student attendance and credit accumulation. (Adobe Stock)

Teachers’ Union Issues Recommendations for NY Public Schools

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) has released a new report this week, with recommendations from educators about how best to …

One in four New York City SNAP redemptions happens at Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan. It's one of 80 GrowNYC food access sites in the city. (Michayla Savitt)

Report: Pandemic SNAP Benefits Cut NY Food Insecurity in Half

NEW YORK - A new report shows far fewer New Yorkers have gone hungry since the federal government nearly doubled its spending in the pandemic on the S…

New York state ranks 16th in the nation for education. The 2021 Kids Count Data Book shows from 2017-2019, 41% of New York children ages 3 and 4 weren't enrolled in preschool, compared to the 52% U.S. average. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Federal Support Vital to NY Families’ Economic Recovery

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York is among the top 10 U.S. states for health among children, and the bottom ten for families' overall economic wellbeing…

Frequent mental distress among adults 65 and older rose 11 percent between 2016 and 2019 according to the 2021 Senior Report. (mrmohock/Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights Challenges to Seniors’ Health

ALBANY, N.Y. - Even before the pandemic, seniors were experiencing increasing mental and behavioral health challenges, according to a new report…

The number of people fed by New York City food pantries and soup kitchens last year increased by 65% over 2019. (kuarmungadd/Adobe Stock)

Calls Mount Again for NY Wealth Tax

NEW YORK - State lawmakers and community activists are calling on New York to help eliminate hunger by raising taxes on corporations and the state's w…

Families whose children normally get free meals at school can expect to see a 15% increase in Pandemic EBT benefits. (Dieter Hawlan/Adobe Stock)

Biden Orders Quick Action on Hunger

NEW YORK -- Many New Yorkers receiving SNAP and Pandemic EBT will soon get increases in their benefits. An estimated 29 million adults and at least …

The adults in more than one in five New York households with children fear they won't be able to make rent or mortgage payments on time. (asiraj/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Increases Hunger, Housing Insecurity for NY Kids

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A new report shows the economic fallout of the COVID pandemic is having a big impact on children, in New York and nationwide…

This year, more than one in five New York soup kitchens and food pantries say they've had to turn people away, reduce amounts per person or limit hours. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Poll Shows Strong Support for Programs to End Poverty

NEW YORK -- A new poll shows low-income Americans overwhelmingly support government programs that could end poverty and hunger. Pollsters spoke with …

Turn Up! Fight Hunger and No Kid Hungry plan to provide 1 billion meals to kids living with hunger over five years. (Halfpoint / Adobe Stock)

Helping Kids Get Meals They Miss When Schools Are Closed

NEW YORK -- With schools closed, many children who depend on free meals at school could be missing out, so children's advocates are partnering with a …

Half of New York City public-school families report reducing the size or frequency of kids' meals. (Trailbomber/Adobe Stock)

NY Parents Getting Help Feeding Kids

NEW YORK -- New York parents of children who have missed out on free meals at school because of the COVID pandemic are receiving food assistance in th…

The Pandemic-EBT program provides $5.25 for food per day for each eligible child. (shintartany/Adobe Stock)

Plan Offers Relief for Hungry Children

NEW YORK -- Families with children who were receiving free meals at school will be getting extra money for food while schools are closed. The …

Every dollar spent on SNAP generates $1.80 in economic activity. (pixelrobot/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Advocates: White House Reneged on SNAP Boost

NEW YORK -- Hunger advocates say strengthening SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is vital to protecting against increased food insecurity during …

Many parents aren't aware of free school breakfast, after-school and summer meal programs. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Turn Up to Fight Childhood Hunger

NEW YORK -- A leading child nutrition program has joined forces with a major media platform to fight child hunger. One-in-six children in New York …

Three separate court rulings last week blocked federal efforts to step up immigrant detentions and deportations. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

Multiple Court Rulings Bring Relief to Immigrant Workers, Families

NEW YORK – Unionized workers in New York are praising three recent court rulings that uphold the rights of immigrants. In three separate …

From the foothills of the Adirondacks to New York Harbor, Hudson River fish still are contaminated with PCBs. (rabbit75_fot/Adobe Stock)

State Suing EPA Over Hudson PCBs

ALBANY, N.Y. – Environmentalists are calling the state of New York's lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency a "move toward …

Good soil-management practices can help keep carbon in the soil. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

Agricultural Practices Critical to Fighting Climate Change

NEW YORK — A new report says farming has an important role to play in fighting climate change. The Climate Change and Land Use report from the …

The average SNAP benefit now equals $1.36 per meal. (photo: USDA)

Advocates: Farm Bill Avoids SNAP Cuts but Still Falls Short

NEW YORK – The Farm Bill passed by Congress last week did not include major cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)…

President Donald Trump has proposed substituting packages of commodity foods for about half of SNAP benefits. (USDA/Flickr)

Proposed Budget Calls for Deep Cuts to Food Program

NEW YORK – The budget proposed by President Donald Trump on Monday would slash funding for food assistance for low-income Americans. Under …

Populations of monarch butterflies and other pollinators have declined sharply. (PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay)

Planting a Million Gardens to Save the Butterflies

NEW YORK – Conservationists are closing in on their goal of creating 1 million gardens that support pollinating insects. Loss of habitat…

Almost 1.7 million low-income people now receive SNAP benefits in New York City alone. (Paul Sableman/Flickr)

Proposed SNAP Cuts Would Hit New Yorkers Hard

NEW YORK -- A new analysis of President Donald Trump's proposed budget shows it would take billions from lower-income New Yorkers. The president's …

Sam Clovis is a talk-show host and former advisor to the Trump campaign. (Alex Hanson/Flickr)

Scientists Oppose Trump Nominee to Agriculture Post

NEW YORK – A leading scientific organization says President Donald Trump's nominee to be chief scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture …

The president's proposed budget boosts defense spending while cutting social safety-net programs. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

Conference of Mayors Opposes Trump Military Spending

NEW YORK – An annual gathering of mayors from around the country is calling on Congress to reverse course by moving funding out of the military …

Nearly 83 percent of SNAP households have children, seniors or people with disabilities. (USDA/Flickr)

Trump Budget Slashes Food Program

NEW YORK - President Trump's budget, according to many advocates for the poor, would make Americans weaker, sicker and hungrier. The $4.1 trillion …

President Trump's preliminary budget proposal trims $200 million from the WIC program, a nutrition program for low-income mothers and children. (USDA/Flickr)

Proposed USDA Cuts Slash Programs for the Poor

NEW YORK - President Trump's proposed budget is being called a "war on people in poverty" by some in New York. The administration's spending plan …

In 2013-2015, 46 percent of food-insecure New Yorkers were also working. (USDA)

Many New Yorkers Still Going Hungry

NEW YORK – An annual survey of demand at soup kitchens and food pantries across New York finds food insecurity has increased, including among …

Seven million more Americans are food insecure now than before the recession. (Steven Depolo/flickr.com)

Data Shows Progress But U.S. Hunger Remains High

NEW YORK – The number of U.S. residents going hungry dropped last year, but food insecurity is still higher than 10 years ago, according to the …

Free summer meals are available to kids younger than age 18 at schools, libraries, community centers and other locations. (USDA/Flickr)

Free Program Feeds Hungry Kids All Summer

NEW YORK - School may be out for the summer, but kids who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school don't have to go hungry. The federally …

Bill sponsor Sen. Ken LaValle urges passage of his GMO labeling law on Tuesday. (Food and Water Watch)

Final Push for New York State GMO Labeling Law

ALBANY, N.Y. - Consumer advocates were in Albany on Tuesday, urging passage of a bill to require labeling of genetically modified foods before the …

An estimated 90 percent of Americans want labeling of GMO foods. (Alexis Baden-Mayer/flickr.com)

U.S. Senate Rejects GMO Labeling Ban

NEW YORK - States may yet be able to require labeling of genetically modified food products. A bill to ban required labeling of GMO foods was …

Supporters of GMO labeling urge passage of a law in New York. (GMOFreeNY.net)

Federal Bill Could Scuttle NY GMO Label Legislation

NEW YORK - A bill just approved by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee could kill state laws requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods…

Advocates say 90 percent of Americans want mandatory GMO labeling. (Alexis Baden-Mayer/flickr.com)

GMO Labelling Bill Advances in Assembly

NEW YORK - A bill requiring the labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, has cleared its first hurdle in the state …

Cutting people off SNAP is expected to put added pressure on food banks and soup kitchens. (USDA/Wikimedia Commons)

As Unemployment Drops, Some New Yorkers Lose Food Stamps

NEW YORK - The improvements in the national economy mean about 51,000 New Yorkers will soon lose access to food stamps, or SNAP benefits. New York …

Polls show that more than 90 percent of Americans want GMO labeling. Credit: Rosalee Yagihara/Wikimedia.org

Legislators Push for GMO Labeling Law

NEW YORK - Legislators, consumer advocates and environmentalists are pledging to step up their campaign for a state law to require labels identifying …

As the number of working poor grows, soup kitchens and food pantries can't keep up. Credit: Greg Vojtko/Wikimedia Commons

More Working New Yorkers Facing Hunger

NEW YORK - The working poor in New York City and the state are facing a growing epidemic of hunger, according to a new report. The report from the …

Microbeads are found in personal-care products, including toothpaste and facial scrubs. Credit: Dantor/Wikimedia Commons

Albany County Legislature Passes Microbeads Ban

ALBANY, N.Y. - Albany County is on track to be the fifth county in the state to ban products containing microbeads. The county legislature passed a …

Several parents are suing Welch Food for what they're calling deceptive marketing practices regarding their Welch's Fruit Snacks products. Credit: Promotion In Motion Companies Inc.

Lawsuit: Welch’s Fruit Snacks “No More Healthful Than Candy”

NEW YORK - Does a fruit snack have to contain actual fruit if its packaging indicates it does? That's the question at the center of a federal court ca…

People who receive SNAP benefits get an average of $1.40 per meal. Credit: Eric/Flickr.com

Anti-Hunger Advocates: Food Stamp Recipients Are Not “Doing Too Good”

NEW YORK - Anti-hunger advocates have been quick to respond to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's statement that jobs go unfilled because …

A Hudson Valley nonprofit partners with local farms to provide fresh, locally produced milk to schools in the Taconic Hills Central School District, but its ultimate goal is to produce more farmers as well. Credit: Matthew Green/freeimages.com

Nonprofit Aims to Change NY School Lunch Menus with Farmers' Help

COPAKE, N.Y. - The founders of the New York nonprofit FarmOn! Foundation, say they're on a mission to bring fresh food from New York's farms to …

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NY: Hunger/Food/Nutrition