# New York Expands Food Donation Program

New York State, led by Governor Kathy Hochul, has redirected 110 million pounds of food to residents in need through its Food Donation and Food Scrap Recycling Program, supported by $10.8 million in state funding since 2018. The program, administered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Feeding New York State, will expand in 2027 to mandate participation from over 1,400 additional entities. This expansion creates significant procurement opportunities for contractors specializing in food recovery, recycling infrastructure, and logistics services to support the increased scale of food donation and waste diversion efforts.

- The program's expansion will require new contracts for food collection, transportation, and recycling infrastructure upgrades across New York State.
- Procurement professionals should prepare for increased demand in services related to food waste management and donation logistics starting in 2027.
- Contractors with expertise in sustainable food recovery and environmental compliance can leverage this program to engage with state agencies and nonprofit partners.
- The initiative aligns with state environmental goals and social welfare objectives, indicating sustained funding and policy support for related procurement activities.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Environment
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
- Feeding New York State
- New York State Department of Agriculture
- Empire State Development (ESD)
- State of New York

### Key Quotes
> With the assistance of New York State’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law, Feeding New York State and our partners have now recovered more than 110 million pounds of wholesome food and redirected it to New Yorkers in need rather than allowing it to go to landfills where it contributes to environmental and health problems.
> — Elizabeth Cooper, Executive Director, Feeding New York State

### Sources
- [Durante el Mes de la Conciencia Sobre el Hambre, La Gobernadora Hochul Anuncia la Redirección de 110 Millones de Libras de Alimentos Gracias al Programa Estatal de Donación de Alimentos y Reciclaje de Residuos Alimentarios | Governor Kathy Hochul | New York State](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/durante-el-mes-de-la-conciencia-sobre-el-hambre-la-gobernadora-hochul-anuncia-la-redireccion) - NY
- [During Hunger Action Month, Governor Hochul Announces 110 Million Pounds of Food Redirected Through State’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Program | Governor Kathy Hochul | New York State](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/during-hunger-action-month-governor-hochul-announces-110-million-pounds-food-redirected) - NY