TESTIMONY
Nicholas Buess on the Increased Demand and Decreased Supply for Food Assistance in NYC
4:36:58
·
76 sec
Nicholas Buess addresses the ongoing crisis in food assistance due to increased demand and decreased supply in New York City.
- Food Bank for New York City serves around 800 food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs.
- There's been an 80% increase in visits to these food programs compared to pre-pandemic levels, while the food supply has decreased.
- Approximately 200 organizations have sought Food Bank's support, but were turned away due to insufficient food supplies.
- Buess calls for a $10,000,000 investment in community food connection to support existing organizations in their efforts.
Nicholas Buess
4:36:58
Hi, Terry Ayala.
4:36:59
So much for giving me a moment.
4:37:01
I'm Nick Bous, I'm the Director of Government Relations at the Food Bank for New York City.
4:37:05
Thanks to your to your great staff for all their hard work.
4:37:08
On these really important issues.
4:37:09
I'll say just very briefly, Food Bank serves about 800 food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs.
4:37:16
Those food programs are seeing an 80% increase in visits from before the pandemic still today.
4:37:23
And the sad reality is that the food supply that we have available across the city has decreased, which is why it pains me to say that we don't onboard new members.
4:37:34
There's about 200 organizations that have reached out to us and said, hey, we're distributing food.
4:37:38
We have community need, and we say we don't have the food for you right now.
4:37:41
So like Greg says, investing in community food connection is essential.
4:37:46
I want to thank you for your questions.
4:37:49
To HRA about the MIC benefits as well.
4:37:51
That's an essential program.
4:37:53
We believe that community based organizations are the front door.
4:37:57
To the community.
4:37:58
And when organizations are serving food, that's a great way to get people in the door.
4:38:03
So thank you for continued to advocate for that.
4:38:05
We support a $10,000,000 investment in that and ensuring that the current organizations that are doing that work can continue to do that work.
4:38:12
I'll stop there.
4:38:13
Thanks.
