Res 0227-2024

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