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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Leah Kabran Eden, Executive Director of Equity Advocates, on Food Insecurity and Policy Recommendations
3:14:56
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136 sec
Leah Kabran Eden, Executive Director of Equity Advocates, testified on the urgent need to address food insecurity in New York City, emphasizing its disproportionate impact on communities of color and low-income households. She called for increased funding and support for various food assistance programs and initiatives to create a more equitable and sustainable food system.
- Advocated for $100 million in baseline funding for Community Food Connections program
- Urged investment in local food economies and market pathways for small and marginalized farmers
- Called for increased funding for Health Bucks and Get the Good Stuff programs
- Proposed creation of a $5 million Food Justice Fund for community-led projects
Leah Kabran Eden
3:14:56
you, chair Ayala, for your leadership today.
3:14:59
My name is Leah Eden.
3:15:00
I'm the executive director of Equity Advocates, where we build the capacity of food justice leaders from across New York to advocate collectively for a strong sustainable food system.
3:15:10
We also lead the New York City Food Policy Alliance, network of 60 plus local food systems groups that we have had the honor of convening for the past five years since those early pandemic days.
3:15:22
You've heard the stark figures.
3:15:24
Food insecurity affects every borough, every demographic, demographic, but it does not impact all New Yorkers equally.
3:15:30
Right?
3:15:30
Communities of color and low income households bear the brunt of this crisis, and failing to fund emergency food programs only deepens the racial and economic disparities.
3:15:40
This is why we're calling for 100,000,000 in baseline funding for community food connections, and we really applaud and thank the city council for your leadership and recognition that now is not the time to scale back our city's investment in this program as was outlined in the mayor's preliminary budget proposal.
3:16:00
We also urge the council to continue to champion and invest in local food economies that build wealth in communities, specifically investing in creating and expanding market pathways for small and historically marginalized farmers while increasing access to locally sourced food in public institutions.
3:16:19
There's been some really great progress particularly in schools and hospitals, but dedicated funding and technical assistance and connection is required to support our local farmers and growers and producers in meeting procurement contracts.
3:16:34
We also call for increased funding for Health Bucks as well as get the good stuff to make healthy food more affordable for more New Yorkers while continuing to leverage federal GUSNIP funds to maximize those resources.
3:16:49
And finally, and thank you Chair Ayala for asking this question earlier today, we also urge the creation of a $5,000,000 food justice fund for community led projects that are designed to grow food justice and build wealth in BIPOC and low income communities as outlined in the Food Forward New York plan.
3:17:09
We are happy to discuss that more offline.
3:17:12
Thank you.
Diana Ayala
3:17:12
Thank you.