Hunger Solutions New York

08/20/2026

Families are still receiving Summer EBT benefits to buy food during summer break.

Already received yours? Use them quickly! Benefits expire 122 days after you get them.

Think your child is eligible, but haven’t heard from NYSOTDA? Apply by September 8.

Learn more in the link in our comments⤵️

08/19/2026

As more New Yorkers struggle to put food on the table, families are feeling the impact of federal cuts to SNAP. Around 180,000 New Yorkers have already lost access to their SNAP benefits, and participation continues to drop at an alarming rate following the expansion of work reporting rules and other harmful provisions.

To make matters worse, our state must prepare to absorb $1.2 billion in new costs to simply fund the SNAP benefits New Yorkers are entitled to. This massive financial burden could jeopardize essential state-funded programs and limit New York State's ability to respond to an economic recession or other emerging needs. That is why Congress needs to hear from you!

During Food Research & Action Center's SNAP Week of Action, join us in urging Congress to delay the cost shift, reverse harmful cuts, and protect access to SNAP. Send a message using the link in the comments⤵️

08/18/2026

“Participation continues to grow year over year. I think having that option of having a free breakfast and lunch just really ensures that everyone is at an even playing field and that everyone is ready to learn."

Annie Hudock, Broome-Tioga BOCES School Nutrition Director, knows that students thrive when hunger doesn't get in the way of learning. Before the first bell rings this September, Annie is getting ready for another year of universal free school meals and asking families to complete their household income form. The information collected helps schools qualify for funding that supports students and helps families qualify for programs like Summer EBT.

Check out this spotlight on the great work Broome-Tioga BOCES and the Rock on Café are doing to connect kids to nutritious food during the school year and over summer break.

Program aims to remove hunger as a barrier to learning

08/17/2026

Childcare providers know that every meal is an opportunity to support children’s health and learning, but serving nutritious food can be costly. CACFP helps eligible providers lower these costs through reimbursement for meals and snacks.

👀⤵️Check out the link in our comments to learn how CACFP can support your program!

08/12/2026

Summer break is better with free meals! Kids and teens can get free meals this summer at libraries, parks, community centers, and more. Many places offer fun activities, too!

🍉 Visit the link in the comments to find a spot near you.

08/06/2026

Kids and teens under age 18 can eat for free this summer at thousands of places across New York. Many locations also have fun activities and games for kids!

🌈Find a summer meal spot near you at the link in comments.

08/04/2026

Summer break is here, and so is Summer EBT!

Summer EBT helps families with eligible school-age children buy groceries over summer break.

Many kids get Summer EBT automatically, but some need to apply. If your child is eligible but you haven’t heard from NYSOTDA, apply by September 8.

Learn more at the link in comments.

07/30/2026

Congratulations to Onondaga County WIC staff and all staff at the 83 local WIC agencies statewide, who now serve 464,000 participants – an incredible ~30% increase since 2020! Long-needed program modernizations, informed strategic outreach, and science-based improvements in food packages combined with WIC staff’s long caring personalized approach made this happen and NYS should be proud!

WIC works and we know it. Local WIC clinics have been nearly flat funded for a decade. It’s time to fund WIC nutrition services appropriately—the families who need it can't wait.

NYSDOH - New York State Health Department
Governor Kathy Hochul
New York State Assembly Majority
New York State Senate
Senator Chuck Schumer
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
WIC Association of New York State
Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
Community Health Care Association of NYS
American Academy of Pediatrics

Due to rising enrollment, the state’s health commissioner, James McDonald, M.D., stopped by Syracuse to highlight the downtown clinic’s success.

The need for food never ceases; as McDonald pointed out, over one in four New York State residents struggles with food insecurity.

You can find the full story in the comments or at LocalSYR.com

07/29/2026

Kids need healthy food to fuel summer fun! That’s why local schools and community organizations serve free meals to kids and teens every summer.

☀️Find a summer meal location near you at the link in the comments.

07/24/2026

There's 1️⃣ WEEK left to get your Fight Hunger Bag at Hannaford. A portion of every purchase helps us continue our important work.

Visit one of these locations:
☀️7 Pyramid Drive, Plattsburgh, NY
☀️3 Via Rossi Way, Ballston, NY