Field & Fork Network is excited to announce that the Double Up Food Bucks NY program has received bipartisan support for the third year in a row!

Field & Fork Network applauds Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Senate, and New York State Assembly, for their commitment to strengthen our local food system through the investment in Double Up Food Bucks NY. This critical support helps low-income families afford and have access to healthy New York grown fruits & vegetables. Through strategic partnerships with grocery stores like Northeast Grocery (Tops Friendly Markets, Market 32, Price Chopper), New Yorkers can stretch their food budgets, purchase the items that are culturally relevant for their families, with the ease and convenience of a coupon. NY State’s ongoing budget appropriation is vital for Double Up Food Bucks NY to be able to operate in large grocery stores; ensuring the program is offered in an equitable way, reaching more SNAP customers where they shop.

The State funding is also an investment in New York family farms. Field & Fork Network creates economic opportunities for over 400+ family farms across the state, directly distributing $1.5 million in Double Up Food Bucks. These funds help small farms hire new employees, purchase equipment, and reinvest in their business.

Field & Fork Network would like to highlight the work of our champions Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Demond Meeks. Without their commitment over the last three years our work would not be possible. Additionally, we’d like to thank our legislative partners Senator Roxanne Persaud, Senator Rachel May, Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, Senator George Borrello and Assemblymember Angelo Morinello. The funding they helped champion in the 2024-25 NYS Budget will be matched with Federal funds from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, doubling the dollars available to New Yorkers.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic New York State has made significant investments and enacted policy to improve our local food system, however, food Insecurity and nutrition insecurity still plague New Yorkers. A recent NY Health Foundation Report found, that 1 in 10 New Yorkers reported food insufficiency, and that number spiked to 1 in 5 for African Americans and Hispanics. Double Up Food Bucks NY is a program that can help alleviate this burden. We are thankful to our state partners and for heeding our call and recognizing the need to do more.

Ongoing investment in Double Up Food Bucks NY is critical for the program to continue to innovate, sustain, and grow it’s footprint across the state. Additional sites are set to be added in 2024, including additional farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) shares, grocery stores and authorized SNAP online retailers to help meet more customers where they are shopping.

Field & Fork Network would like to personally thank all of the representatives who provided their steadfast support for the Double Up Food Bucks NY program, including:

The Honorable NYS Governor Kathy Hochul
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Senator Michelle Hinchey
Senator Rachel May
Senator Roxanne J. Persaud
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo
Senator George Borrello
Senator Neil D. Breslin
Senator Jabari Brisport
Senator Samra Brouk
Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
Senator Iwen Chu
Senator Cordell Cleare
Senator Jeremy Cooney
Senator Patrick M. Gallivan
Senator Joseph A. Griffo
Senator Pamela A. Helming
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Senator Timothy M. Kennedy
Senator John C. Liu
Senator John Mannion
Senator Monica Martinez
Senator Jack M. Martins
Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie
Senator Thomas F. O’Mara
Senator Peter Oberacker
Senator Robert G. Ortt
Senator Anthony Palumbo
Senator Kevin Parker
Senator Jessica Ramos
Senator Steven D. Rhoads
Senator Gustavo Rivera
Senator Rob Rolison
Senator Sean Ryan
Senator Luis R. Sepulveda
Senator James N. Tedisco
Senator Kevin Thomas
Senator Leah Webb
Senator Alexis Weik

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
Assemblymember Demond Meeks
Assemblymember Donna Lupardo
Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson
Assemblymember Didi Barrett
Assemblymember Anil Beephan
Assemblymember Scott Bendett
Assemblymember Karl Brabenec
Assemblymember Harry Bronson
Assemblymember Maritza Davila
Assemblymember Inez Dickens
Assemblymember Jeff Gallahan
Assemblymember Deborah Glick
Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson
Assemblymember Josh Jensen
Assemblymember Billy Jones
Assemblymember Anna Kelles
Assemblymember John Lemondes
Assemblymember Dana Levenberg
Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford
Assemblymember Brian Maher
Assemblymember Brian Manktelow
Assemblymember John McDonald III
Assemblymember David McDonough
Assemblymember KarenMcMahon
Assemblymember Brian D. Miller
Assemblymember Angelo J. Morinello
Assemblymember Michael J. Norris
Assemblymember Steven Raga
Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky
Assemblymember Gina Sillitti
Assemblymember Matthew Simpson
Assemblymember Phil Steck
Assemblymember Chris Tague
Assemblymember Al Taylor
Assemblymember Fred Thiele Jr.
Assemblymember Monica Wallace
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner
Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr.