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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Pernell S. Bryce III, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Children's Health Fund on Food Insecurity in New York City
3:58:27
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92 sec
Pernell S. Bryce III from Children's Health Fund testified about the alarming rates of food insecurity among children and families in New York City, emphasizing its disproportionate impact on communities of color. He urged the city council to continue funding food assistance programs like SNAP to address this critical issue.
- Approximately 400,000 children (1 in 5) in New York City are food insecure
- Nearly 1 in 4 families with children in NYC experience food insecurity, with higher rates among families of color
- Food insecurity is linked to developmental delays, poor academic performance, and long-term health problems in children
Pernell S. Bryce III
3:58:27
Thank you, deputy speaker Ayala.
3:58:29
My name is Pernell s Bryce the third, and I'm the vice president of policy and advocacy for Children's Health Fund.
3:58:34
Today, I'm here to speak on behalf of children and families of New York City who are struggling with hunger and food insecurity.
3:58:40
As a city of great wealth, it's deeply troubling and so many of our neighbors, particularly our children, go to bed hungry or lack consistent access to nutritious food.
3:58:50
The statistics surrounding hunger in New York City are staggering and unacceptable.
3:58:53
According to recent data, one in five New New York City children, approximately 400,000 kids are food insecure, meaning they do not have consistent access to enough food for an active healthy lifestyle.
3:59:04
Nearly one in four families with children in New York City experience food insecurity with the rates disproportionately higher among families of color.
3:59:13
The poverty rate in New York City is approximately 80.9, but for black and Latino children, the number is nearly 30%.
3:59:20
These figures are not just numbers.
3:59:21
They represent real children, families, and communities who are lacking or facing daily struggles to access basic sustenance.
3:59:28
Hunger affects a child's ability to learn, grow, and thrive.
3:59:31
Food insecurity is linked to development delays, poor academic performance, and long term health problems.
3:59:37
No child should have to worry about their next meal and where it will come from as the city is prosperous in New Jersey as in in New York City.
3:59:46
Sorry.
3:59:46
We asked the city council to continue to fund necessary food assistance programs like SNAP to ensure that all New Yorkers, particularly children, have the sustenance they need to be successful.
3:59:58
Thank you so much.