SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed new initiatives to help provide relief to the restaurant industry, including a $25 million Restaurant Resiliency Program, on Monday.
The program will give funding to New York’s food banks network and emergency food providers to buy prepared meals from local restaurants and deliver them to families in need.
This improves upon the Nourish New York Initiative, which allows New York’s emergency food providers to buy surplus products from New York farmers and dairy factories and deliver them to families in need.
Additionally, Governor Hochul signed the Restaurant Meals Program Act into law. This program would allow homeless, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase prepared or hot food at participating restaurants and delis at reduced prices. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will apply for USDA approval to create a statewide Restaurant Meals Program as part of SNAP.
Prior to new legislation, SNAP benefits could not be used toward buying prepared foods. This limited those who don’t have the ability to cook or prepare foods on their own from the SNAP benefits.
Governor Hochul also announced that SNAP recipients will be receiving more benefits to increase the amount they have to purchase food.
We’re also establishing a statewide restaurant meals program as part of SNAP.
Signed into law today, the Restaurant Meals Program Act will ensure that those who are most in need in our state can use their benefits and put food on the table. pic.twitter.com/vT315I25pH
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 4, 2021
“It’s unconscionable that in a state as prosperous as New York, many residents still struggle to get enough food to feed their families,” Governor Hochul said. “The vital actions we’re taking—establishing two restaurant programs to help the most vulnerable New Yorkers feed themselves and help restaurants recover from this terrible pandemic—will work in tandem to put food on the table in homes across the state. This pandemic continues to impact the wallets and homes of a vast number of New Yorkers, and we’re taking any and all actions to help them support themselves and their loved ones.”
Many New Yorkers still struggle to get enough food to feed their families. Today we are taking two actions to help vulnerable New Yorkers and help restaurants recover from the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/ae8KUNSIfk
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 4, 2021
With these changes, Governor Hochul believes that this is how the state recovers from the pandemic and helps people in need during their most vulnerable times.
