🔴 LIVE: "Food Insecurity in NYC." Hosted by the Committee on General Welfare.

The New York City Council Committee on General Welfare held a hearing on April 13, 2026, focused on food insecurity and hunger in New York City. The meeting included discussions on four pieces of legislation related to food assistance programs, including measures to improve the city's response to extreme weather, establish a SNAP anti-fraud officer, create a fraud victims compensation fund, and allow SNAP benefits to be used for hot foods. The Department of Social Services (DSS) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) provided detailed testimony on current food assistance programs, including the Community Food Connection (CFC) which funds over 700 food pantries and community kitchens, and a new pilot program to enhance emergency food assistance through voucher or credit-based solutions. The hearing also addressed challenges such as SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card skimming fraud, the impact of new federal work requirements on SNAP eligibility, and the need for culturally competent food access. Multiple community organizations and advocates testified, urging increased funding for emergency food providers, support for SNAP outreach and education, and the establishment of a compensation fund for fraud victims. The committee discussed procurement aspects including the CFC's food sourcing and vendor selection processes, budget allocations for food programs, and the competitive bidding for food suppliers in shelters and drop-in centers. The hearing highlighted the importance of continued investment in food security infrastructure and the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the effects of federal policy changes on vulnerable New Yorkers.