Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
More New Yorkers Face Hunger After Congress Cuts Food Stamps
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Jan 23, 2014
Modified Jan 23, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Jan 23, 2014
Modified Jan 23, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Following Congress's decision to cut $5 Billion in funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or, food stamps) last November, New York City food banks have been flooded by families and individuals, according to a new report from the [PDF] Food Bank for New York City.
Following the cuts, 31% of food pantries reported an increase in traffic of more than 25%, while 16% of food pantries saw a rise of more than 50% of people looking for food. These cuts come as nearly one-third of New Yorkers struggle to afford food on a daily basis.
“Hunger should not be the punishment for poverty,” Margarette Purvis, president and chief executive officer of the Food Bank for New York City told CBS. “You shouldn’t have the option of either you are rich or you can’t feed yourself that really is unacceptable.”
Even worse, Congress is close to reaching a deal that would cut $9 billion from the SNAP budget, which the Food Bank estimates would result in "90,000 recipient households in New York City losing, on average, $90-$130 per month."
During November of 2013, more than a quarter of food pantries turned hungry New Yorkers away because they had run out of food.
Tagged
austerity
Congress
Food Bank of New York City
hunger
nyc
poverty
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
In theory, New York's gubernatorial candidates can accept donations of up to $9,000. In practice, it’s way higher.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 12:54 p.m. ET
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
D’Angelo Caraballo and Sneider Mejia are wanted on several charges, including attempted murder.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
D’Angelo Caraballo and Sneider Mejia are wanted on several charges, including attempted murder.
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYC’s autumn foliage will be a fall feast this year
By
Rosemary Misdary
NY officials worry migrants will skip healthcare amid fed policy change
By
Caroline Lewis
Early Addition: Spy magazine is doing a Substack pop-up
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .