$8.738M in NOEP Funding Sustains Access to SNAP Navigators as Federal Policy Reshapes the Program
Hunger Solutions New York applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for including several important investments to protect food access in the FY2027 New York State Budget. We are grateful for New York’s leadership on these issues.
At a time when federal policy changes are threatening food access, state leaders responded with urgency by fully funding SNAP outreach and application assistance. The enacted budget includes $8.738M to sustain funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), our state’s network of community-based SNAP navigators. Ensuring New Yorkers’ continued access to SNAP navigators will be especially important in the year ahead, as families navigate significant changes to eligibility, budgeting rules, and work reporting requirements.
The FY2027 New York State budget also sustains recent state investments to address child hunger and affordability, including universal school meals and Summer EBT. This budget funds the transition to more secure EBT chip cards, boosts funding for emergency food providers, and expands childcare, a major cost savings to help families make ends meet.
Still, opportunities remain to strengthen food access for our youngest New Yorkers and their families.
Hunger Solutions New York continues to advocate for additional funding to support access to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). State allocations for WIC have remained largely unchanged for the past decade, despite a 28% increase in participation since 2020. Additional funding is needed to ensure all eligible families can access WIC’s vital services.
While our work continues, the investments included in this year’s budget demonstrate New York State’s commitment to food access.
We applaud Governor Hochul and the Legislature for investing in programs that will mitigate the harm of federal policies and help families struggling to afford food. We are deeply grateful to our legislative champions and partners who joined us in calling for state investment in anti-hunger programs, and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure all New Yorkers can put food on the table.
