NY Funders Alliance is working to create a summary of resources surrounding food insecurity during COVID-19. Below is a list of food-related resources, if you have additional suggestions for this list, please contact us!
General Resources
Inside Philanthropy: Alarms Are Sounding on Food Insecurity in the U.S.: Who’s Answering the Call?
Food Navigator: Food insecurity: How COVID-19 is exacerbating a crisis already on a ‘knife-edge’
CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute:How has the Coronavirus epidemic influenced people’s ability to get food in New York City and State?
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition:COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT ON LOCAL FOOD MARKETS
New York State
The state will provide $25 million from the state’s special public health emergency fund for food banks and providers most impacted by COVID-19. To find a food bank that supports your region, visit the Department of Health’s food bank state map. They are also asking any philanthropies that would like to help the state’s food banks to email COVIDPhilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.
Erie County
Hunger Solutions New York
Pandemic-EBT: Food Benefits for Families during COVID-19 School Closures
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is a new crisis response nutrition program activated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides food benefits to approximately 2.1 million children across the state who lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures.
USDA
The US Department of Agriculture announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), using the funding and authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and other USDA existing authorities.
The government will purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat from farmers and producers hit hard by the closure of restaurants, hotels, and schools during the pandemic response. Distributors and wholesalers will be selected to create boxes of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products for distribution to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need. Specifics on how the program will work will be forthcoming. Stay informed about this new program and other USDA pandemic food assistance actions through USDA’s Media Center announcements.
- National Hunger Hotline
- New York: COVID-19 Waivers & Flexibilities
- A site finder to locate where Meals for Kids are being offered when schools are closed
- USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Philanthropy-Specific Resources
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF)
- COVID-19 Philanthropic Response and Recovery Funds: Food & Agriculture System
- Overview of Food-Related COVID-19 Legislation
Community Food Funders
Philanthropy Northwest: WA Food Fund