Res 0844-2023

Whereas, According to the New York City Mayor's Office of Food Policy, 14.6 percent of New York City residents were food insecure in 2022; and Whereas, According to the New York City Human Resources Administration, 1,754,927 New York City residents received benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in February 2023; 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 expired on September 30, 2023, but Congress has temporarily extended its appropriations in a Continuing Resolution that extends funding for all federal programs until it expires on November 17, 2023; 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 its 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. KF LS #14237 10/23/2023 10:18 AM