Nearly One in Six New York State Residents Report Struggle to Afford Enough Food

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2012
Contact: Alisa Costa, (518) 436-8757 x 122
alisa.costa@hungersolutionsny.org

Nearly One in Six New York State Residents Report Struggle to Afford Enough Food 

During First Six Months of 2012

Food Hardship Rate Underscores Need to Protect SNAP

Albany, NY – August 23, 2012 – New data released this week by the Gallup organization show the food hardship rate for New York was 17 percent during the first six months of 2012. Hunger Solutions New York noted this rate shows that far too many New York State residents continue to report that there were times during the past 12 months when they did not have enough money to buy the food they or their families needed.

Nationally, the food hardship rate was 18.2 percent during the first six months of 2012. Among states, Mississippi had the highest food hardship rate (24.9 percent) and North Dakota had the lowest (9.6 percent). 

People across the country continue to report their struggle to afford food in the aftermath of the recession and ongoing unemployment and underemployment. Despite these struggles, some in Congress are trying to make harsh cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Senate plan for the Farm Bill includes a cut of $4.4 billion over 10 years to the program, a proposal that would trigger sizable reductions (averaging $90/month) in SNAP benefits for an estimated 500,000 households a year (300,000 in New York State). The House Agriculture Committee bill would make these same cuts plus end benefits totally for a minimum of 1.8 million people nationwide, cutting the program by $16 billion.

“Food hardship continues to a big problem in this country. The numbers underscore the point that many people still continue to struggle. Proposed cuts to our nation’s nutrition safety net will only worsen a bad situation,” said Linda Bopp, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions New York. “These cuts to SNAP will particularly harm seniors, children and working families, taking food away from the poorest and most vulnerable among us. Congress must reject these attempts to make false economies by taking from those who have the least.” 

While many in Congress are proposing to provide less to struggling families, here in New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo is responding to this need. With his leadership, the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) is expanding into 16 additional counties and expanding services in six. Soon, residents in 52 counties will have access to assistance in applying for nutrition assistance.

The food hardship question is asked as part of a survey conducted by Gallup through the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project. Gallup has been interviewing 1,000 households per day almost every day since January 2, 2008 for this project. Respondents are asked a series of questions on a range of topics, including emotional health, physical health, healthy behavior, work environment and access to basic services. 

“Hunger is unacceptable and entirely preventable,” said Bopp. “We encourage anyone who is having trouble affording food to contact their local NOEP provider.”

To find a local NOEP provider for help applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the new name for the Food Stamp Program, or to learn more about nutrition assistance programs, visit www.FoodHelpNY.org. 

Click here to view the Gallup food hardship data.

Hunger Solutions New York is a statewide non-profit dedicated to alleviating hunger for all New York State residents.

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