Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency on Thursday as the federal government shutdown threatens to halt food assistance for more than 42 million low-income Americans, including three million New Yorkers and 16 million children nationwide who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
At a press conference in Albany, Hochul sharply criticized the Trump administration for “turning its back on working families,” warning that the looming cutoff could trigger a “public health and economic crisis” across the state.
“The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis — and hurting our grocers, bodegas, and farmers along the way,” Hochul said. “Unlike Washington Republicans, I won’t sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table.”
To blunt the impact of the federal freeze, Hochul unveiled a $65 million emergency food assistance fund that she said will provide roughly 40 million meals to families across New York.
The governor also announced plans to deploy SUNY Empire State Service Corps members to reinforce food banks and distribution centers statewide.
“Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have the power to stop this crisis — millions of families depend on it,” Hochul added.
Under the state’s emergency plan, every student in New York will continue receiving free breakfast and lunch at school, ensuring that children do not go hungry even if federal SNAP funds run dry.
At University Prep Charter High School in the Bronx, where more than 85% of families rely on SNAP, administrators have launched their own relief effort. A GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $11,000 to provide after-school meals and grocery support.
“It’s really to provide food for after the school day — not only for the students, but for their families,” said Assistant Principal Sally Schwab. “Many have siblings who aren’t in school yet, or who’ve already graduated, and they need food at home as well.”
The school plans to distribute grocery bags and supermarket gift cards to families starting Monday.
“We’re packaging weekly groceries so families can come pick them up and bring them home,” Schwab explained.
With federal food aid stalled amid the ongoing shutdown, state officials warn of a cascading effect on local economies and food supply chains. Supermarkets, small grocers, and farmers could see reduced demand, while food pantries face overwhelming need.
Hochul’s emergency declaration, one of the most sweeping in the state’s recent history, underscores how deeply dependent millions of New Yorkers are on federal nutrition programs — and how quickly political gridlock in Washington can threaten access to basic necessities.
“We can’t let bureaucracy starve our families,” Hochul said. “New York will act — because Washington won’t.”
