Res. No. 227-A

Resolution calling on Congress to pass, and the President to sign, a renewed Farm Bill that increases funding for life-saving food aid.

By Council Members Brewer, Louis, Schulman, Ayala, Narcisse, Rivera, Banks, Bottcher and Mealy

Whereas, According to research from Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy, in 2023 one in three adults (31%) and nearly half of all families with children (44%) in New York City experienced food hardship; and

Whereas, According to the New York City Human Resources Administration, 1,806,444 New York City residents received benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as of October 2024; and

Whereas, The Farm Bill is a multiyear federal law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs and funds vital food and nutrition assistance programs that support New York City residents, including SNAP; and

Whereas, Congress must renew the Farm Bill on a regular basis, which historically it has done approximately every 5 years; and

Whereas, The 2018 Farm Bill initially expired on September 30, 2023, but Congress enacted a one-year extension until September 30, 2024, in the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024; and

Whereas, Congress allowed the 2018 Farm Bill to expire without a further extension on September 30, 2024, although some programs will continue through the end of the calendar year; and

Whereas, SNAP provides essential food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being; and

                     Whereas, Funding for SNAP and other Farm Bill programs is vital and should be continued and increased; and

Whereas, Any cuts to the life-saving food aid provided in the Farm Bill will increase food insecurity in New York City and threaten the health and lives of the City’s most vulnerable residents; and

Whereas, Congress and the President have the opportunity not only to reauthorize the Farm Bill, but also to increase funding for SNAP and other food and nutrition assistance programs; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Congress to pass, and the President to sign, a renewed Farm Bill that increases funding for life-saving food aid.

Session 13

LS#14237

PR

12/6/2024

Session 12

KF

LS #14237

10/23/2023 10:18 AM