Throughout September, City Harvest and its Partners will Join with Feeding America to Raise Awareness of Hunger in NYC and Encourage New Yorkers to Take Action.

September 3, 2019 (New York, NY) – City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization, today announced its participation in Hunger Action Month: Feeding America’s annual campaign to raise awareness of food insecurity across the country and mobilize the public to take action. In New York City, nearly 1.2 million residents, including 1 in 5 children, struggle to put meals on their tables. Hunger in our city may worsen in the coming months due to recent actions from the Trump Administration that would deter those seeking permanent residency in the U.S. from enrolling in benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and enforcing new restrictions that would limit SNAP eligibility. With 1.6 million New Yorkers relying on SNAP to help make ends meet, it is now more important than ever to take action.

“We live in a city of abundance, yet almost half of all New York City households are struggling to afford basic needs, including food,” said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. “With SNAP under threat, we’re calling all New Yorkers to stand with us to help feed our city. For over 35 years, City Harvest has worked with partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters to help ensure that our neighbors in need have the food they need to thrive. Today, our work is more vital than ever before.”

According to the 2018 NYC Self-Sufficiency Standard Report, 40% of working families in New York City do not earn enough income to cover the cost of living—including housing, child care, transportation, food, and health care. Many families are forced to cut back on their food budget, which—unlike rent and childcare, for example—is a flexible expense. Cuts to SNAP would make it even more difficult for New Yorkers to feed themselves and their families.

Throughout September, City Harvest and its partners will give New Yorkers the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors in need by supporting the organization’s work to rescue 64 million pounds of nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste this year and deliver it, free of charge, to hundreds of community food programs throughout the five boroughs.

“I live with my son, who has a disability, and combined, we only receive $15 in SNAP a month. It’s not much, especially if you are trying to eat healthy and purchase fresh foods,” said Ramona, a Queens resident and participant in City Harvest’s Mobile Markets. “The grocery stores near our apartment are also expensive. The City Harvest Mobile Market is a great help because we save money and get nutritious produce, like watermelon. Everything we get from the market is very fresh, and I’m able to use it all.”

Everyday New Yorkers can join City Harvest and its partners by participating in:

“All Hands in for City Harvest” for Hunger Action Month (throughout September): During the month of September, restaurants and bars across the Union Square Hospitality Group family will feature their own specialty cocktail called The Helping Hand. For every drink sold, USHG will donate $5 to City Harvest, which will help feed 18 New Yorkers in need for a day.

City Harvest Lunch Menu at Le Bernardin (throughout September, and year-round): Michelin 3-starred restaurant Le Bernardin will offer a special City Harvest prix fixe lunch menu in its lounge. $5 from every three-course meal ordered will be donated to City Harvest, helping to feed 18 New Yorkers for a day.

USA Today Wine & Food Experience New York, brought to you by Martha Stewart (September 7): This unique tasting event celebrates New York chefs, emerging talent, and nationally renowned purveyors. Attendees can purchase tickets using the code “CITYHARVEST” to receive a discount and have 40 percent of their ticket price donated to City Harvest. Guests will enjoy New York’s finest food, wine and craft beer, and experience cooking demonstrations featuring top chefs.

Momofuku Noodle Bar’s 15th Anniversary (through September 12): In celebration of its 15th Anniversary, the Noodle Bar’s East Village location will offer a series of throwback menu items each week. A portion of proceeds from each throwback dish sold will be donated to City Harvest.

All New Yorkers can also support City Harvest by:

  • Donating Funds: Throughout September, a generous donor is matching all donations, dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. Each dollar donated will help feed two families in need for a day.
  • Donating Food: (City Harvest’s High Holidays Food Drive, running September 9–October 11): More than half a million Jewish New Yorkers struggle to put kosher food on their tables. Help City Harvest feed our kosher-observing neighbors in need during the High Holidays by running a food drive and encouraging members of your community to donate non-perishable, kosher food. City Harvest trucks will pick up donations of 50 pounds or more and deliver them to kosher community food programs across the city.
  • Advocating: Join with City Harvest and Feeding America to urge the Administration to withdraw its proposal to limit SNAP eligibility. Take action before September 23 by submitting a personal comment to the USDA stating your opposition to the ruling.

“We are proud once again to participate in City Harvest’s Hunger Action Month,” said Danny Meyer, Founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. “It’s such a great opportunity to support a cause our team feels so passionate about. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to partner with City Harvest, and honor the work they do to support New Yorkers in need.”

For complete information on all of City Harvest’s Hunger Action Month activities, visit cityharvest.org/hungeractionmonth. The public is encouraged to join the discussion online by tagging City Harvest on Facebook (CityHarvestNYC), Twitter (@CityHarvest) and Instagram (@CityHarvestNYC) and using #HungerActionMonth.

About City Harvest
City Harvest is New York City’s largest food rescue organization, helping to feed the nearly 1.2 million New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables. We will rescue 64 million pounds of food this year and deliver it, free of charge, to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community partners across the five boroughs. Our programs empower individuals through nutrition education, increase our partners’ capacity, and strengthen the local food system, helping New Yorkers who are experiencing food insecurity to access, afford, and consume nutritious food. To learn more about our work, visit cityharvest.org.