Hunger Within the Boroughs of New York City

17 min readJun 2, 2023

Accepting the White House Challenge on Hunger

June 2023

Done in Cooperation With:
Zara Charitable Foundation
The Gaton Foundation
Mannan Supermarkets

Executive Summary

As federal pandemic era food relief programs come to an end, millions of more Americans are exposed to food vulnerabilities across the nation.

In March 2023, this encouraged the White House and President Biden to launch the “White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.” [1]

Food insecurity, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), means “the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of lack of money and other resources.” [2]

This phenomenon does not happen in a vacuum.

According to the USDA, the rate of food insecurity among children in Queens County, NY is double the rate as compared to the U.S. population as a whole — 10.2% nationwide to 20.5% in Queens — affecting a child’s learning potential and focus on schoolwork.[3], [4]

The Journal of Nutrition found that food insecurity reduces children’s mathematics test scores by 53.37 points out of 123-point scale, and their reading test scores by 70.43 points out of 154-point scale. [5] In contrast, properly nourished students were found to have improved attention spans, memory during school, higher test scores, better behavior, and reduced disciplinary action. [6]

A partnership led by the Zara Charitable Foundation, Mannan Supermarkets, and the Gaton Foundation of Richmond Hill, Queens, took action and responded to the President’s call to action in two ways.

First, Starting March 1, 2023, the group has committed to provide 12 months of fresh, culturally appealing food items to feed 200+ diverse families served by the Gaton Foundation in Queens, NY.

Second, the coalition is seeking to stir a dialogue among New York families, school administrators, community nonprofits, food establishments, federal, state, and local governments, and businesses from all five boroughs, about how to bring more community stakeholders together to address the growing hunger crisis.

Accordingly, this publication covers the following topics:

A) Background on the National Food Crisis

B) The Situation: Millions Face No Food Next Door

C) What is Food Insecurity?

D) The Size of Modern Food Insecurity among Queens Families

E) Dangers of Food Insecurity for Children and Families

F) Academic + Health Impacts of Food Security for Children — Families

G) White House Challenge to End Hunger & Build Healthy Communities

H) Local Actions Taken to End Hunger & Build Healthy Communities in Queens, NY

I) Resources for Food Insecure Families & Students in Queens, New York

J) New York Legislative Initiatives Aimed at Tackling Food Insecurity

K) Conclusion: Accept the White House Challenge and Work Together to Secure Access to Food for New York Students and Families

The report concludes by reasserting that NYC organizations should join the effort and accept the White House Challenge to end hunger and build healthy communities.

A: Background on the National Food Crisis

There is a significant and growing crisis of food insecurity in the U.S., where 24.6% of families lack reliable access to nutritious food, [7] threatening children’s opportunity to thrive in the classroom and prepare for career success. That is especially true in New York City and its borough of Queens. The rate of food insecure children increased from 13.8% in 2019 to 20.5% in 2020. [8]

While much has been done to alleviate food insecurity among families in New York State, additional focus and resources must be brought to bear as federal pandemic-era policies that increased food stamp benefits end.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 outlined “Emergency Allotments” for families enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Households already receiving the maximum SNAP benefit got an additional $95 per month, and families not receiving the maximum SNAP benefit received the difference between their typical monthly benefit and the maximum benefit. Even if the difference was less than $95 per month, all families received a minimum of an additional $95 per month. [9]

Another program temporarily bolstered during COVID-19 was the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Through WIC, women received an additional $35 per month, pregnant and postpartum mothers received an additional $43 per month, and breastfeeding women received an additional $47 per month. [10]

Additional SNAP funds ended in February 2023, and additional WIC funds end in October 2023. New York families that depended on those additional funds to make ends meet during record-high inflation will have to make tough decisions when it comes to paying for housing needs, medicine, or utility bills.

The New York Times warned in March 2023, “In New York City alone, more than 1.5 million people, or nearly one in five residents, could receive smaller food stamp benefits, according to nonprofit leaders — reflecting a loss of at least $160 million total in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month.” [11] A family that was once receiving $500 in enhanced SNAP benefits is now expected to receive less than $300 — approximately a third in reduction after COVID-era Emergency Allotments terminate.

Meanwhile, a recently released “NYC True Cost of Living Report” found that a family of four in New York City with a preschooler and school aged child must earn at least $100,000 to cover basic expenses such as food, housing, childcare, utilities, and medicine.[12] The report also observed that, “The presence of children in the household almost doubles the likelihood that a household will have inadequate income. The combination of being a woman, having children, and solo parenting is associated with the highest rates of income inadequacy. ” 12

As food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC faced cuts in March 2023 along with tight household income levels, the New York City Council called for the reinstatement of food pantry initiatives from 2020 COVID-19 programs that helped thousands of poor New Yorkers each day. City Council Finance Committee Chairman Justin Brannan said of the demand for the City’s food pantries that, “While COVID might be in our rear view, the lines at our local food pantries certainly haven’t subsided.” 11

**Inside Mannan Supermarket | Photo credit: Zara Charitable Foundation**

Community stakeholders cannot simply leave the problem to the schools or public officials alone to solve. Instead, a vibrant dialogue is needed that includes many stakeholders, community nonprofit advocates, food establishments, federal, state, and local government leaders along with the entire Queens business community to join the conversation about how to address the growing food insecurity crisis.

B: The Situation: Millions Face No Food Next Door

Every day, millions of families across the United States confront a problem that undermines their ability to study, work, or participate vibrantly in their communities. These millions of families do not have enough to eat on a regular basis, a problem known as “food insecurity.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Feeding America, while an estimated 11% of all Americans and 2.7% of U.S. children battle food insecurity, the Queens population faced higher rates of food insecurity with 12.1% of Queens households and 20.5% of Queens children experiencing food insecurity. 3, 4, 8

Many food insecure children — particularly those from multi-generational households, people of color, and first-generation immigrants — enter the classroom hungry, which can often cause them to have difficulty focusing on their primary mission, their studies.

C: What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity, as defined by the USDA, means “the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of lack of money and other resources.” 2 In effect, people experiencing food insecurity frequently do not know where their next meal will come from.

According to the Food, Research, and Action Center (FRAC), a Washington, D.C.-based hunger advocacy group, poverty and a lack of nutritious food at available food markets nearby are the main contributors to food insecurity. [13]

The consequences of lack of access to food are serious, ranging from higher rates of chronic diseases to underperformance in academics. Children and young adults are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies are still developing. 2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that malnutrition contributes to insulin resistance, obesity, heart disease, asthma, liver and kidney failure, cancer, mental illness, and pregnancy complications, along with other chronic diseases. [14]

The proportions of the problem are enormous. A 2021 report from the USDA found that nearly 13.5 million households, about 10.2% of the U.S. population — or greater than the population of the six New England states and New York combined — were food insecure at some point in 2021. [15]

D: The Size of Modern Food Insecurity among Queens Families

The rate of food insecurity among Queens County children is nearly double the rate among the U.S. population as a whole — 10.2% nationwide compared to 20.5% in Queens — affecting their health and learning potential. 3

According to an annual study conducted by Feeding America, while the amount of food insecure people in Queens remained largely unchanged since 2016, the share of food insecure children has increased from 16.5% to 20.5% in 2020. [16] Out of this population, approximately 72% of eligible individuals fall below the SNAP threshold of 200% poverty in 2021. [17]

**Source: See NYC Food Policy Links 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27**

The study also found that people of color have an elevated risk of food insecurity, with rates 6% higher for African Americans and 10% higher for Latinos than for White people. 18 Data from the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) found that local applications for SNAP benefits rose from 27,000 to 45,000 between January 2019 and January 2023. [18]

Additionally, fewer Queens households are registered for SNAP benefits, when compared to 21% of households citywide. Only 9% of Bayside, Little Neck, Fresh Meadows, Ridgewood, and Forest Hills households [19], [20]; 10% of Southeast Queens households [21]; 12% of Long Island City, Astoria, Flushing, and Clearview households [22],[23]; 17% of Southwest Queens households [24]; 18% of West Queens households [25]; 19% of Jamaica households [26]; and 28% of Rockaway households were enrolled in SNAP benefits. [27]

New SNAP applicants face an additional hurdle of processing delays for their requests for assistance as DSS budget and staffing cuts have slowed processing times beyond the legal maximum of 30 days. This means families in need of emergency services are stuck waiting and must make tough choices to figure out how to afford food in the meantime.[28]

E: Dangers of Food Insecurity for Children and Families

Food insecurity has serious health, social, and economic consequences for children and families. Students with unreliable access to food were found to have higher stress levels and unhealthy sleeping habits, according to a report from the University of Florida. [29]

Results from Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” reports show that food insecurity not only exists throughout Queens but worsened after the COVID pandemic hit in 2020 as the number of children who live in a food insecure household grew from 228,660 in 2018 [30] to 260,030 in 2021. [31] This comes in tandem with tight income levels as observed by the aforementioned “True Cost of Living” report. 12

The dangers of food insecurity are significant. In fact, food-insecure students are unlikely to eat three meals a day and their diet is often inadequate to sustain them. 2 These undernourished students are more likely to have poor physical activity habits and to develop eating disorders. [32]

This problem is not merely about skipping a meal now or then or living off pasta, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or cans of beans and ramen noodles. This is a real, serious issue of students literally starving.

Even though most children and adolescents are generally healthy as compared to other age demographics, food insecurity remains a major threat. Students reporting food insecurity are more likely to describe their overall health as “fair, poor, or very poor” and suffer from lower energy levels than other students. These students experience more frequent symptoms of depression as well as disruptions in their academic work, according to the University of Maryland School of Public Health. [33]

A 2022 New York Health Survey of Food and Health found that food insecure households regularly make financial tradeoffs, such as buying cheaper or generic brand food, shopping at discount stores, delaying or foregoing other expenses, and borrowing money in order to feed their families. These tradeoffs are not choices that food secure households have to make. [34]

F: Academic + Health Impacts of Food Security for Children — Families

Studies have shown that children receiving breakfast and a balanced diet results in a significant impact on their academic success. Properly nourished students were found to have improved attention spans, memory during school, higher test scores, better behavior, and reduced disciplinary action. [35]

The Journal of Nutrition published a two-part study examining how food insecurity affected the academic performance of children in kindergarten and third grade. Using the item response theory to score subjects, the study found that food insecurity reduced a child’s mathematics IRT score by 53.37 points and their reading score by 70.43 points. [36]

Not only are students better able to participate in their education, but access to nutritious food improves the overall health of students. Students are less likely to visit the school nurse’s office, get sick, or miss school days due to hunger related illness. [37]

Schools that provide breakfast and lunch can help alleviate the burden on food insecure families and reduce the risk of further households experiencing food emergencies. Nationwide, the provisions of school meals lifted 722,000 children above the poverty line and provided meals to children who otherwise might not have known where their next meal was coming from. [38] Between March 2020 and February 2021, New York City public schools alone provided roughly 90 million meals. [39]

Given the lack of access to food, meals provided in school settings are often more nutritious than what poorer families could provide for themselves. Data demonstrates that school-sourced meals were found to reduce the rate of children in poor health by at least 29% and reduce the rate of childhood obesity by at least 17%. 38

G: White House Challenge to End Hunger & Build Healthy Communities

The White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities is a nationwide call-to-action to stakeholders across all of society to make bold commitments to advance President Biden’s goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030 — all while reducing disparities. 1 The Challenge builds on the success of the $8 billion package of private and public sector commitments that the Administration announced as part of the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022, and complements the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to implement the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The five pillars of the National Strategy include:

· PILLAR 1: Improve food access and affordability

· PILLAR 2: Integrate nutrition and health

· PILLAR 3: Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthier choices

· PILLAR 4: Support physical activity for all

· PILLAR 5: Enhance nutrition and food security research

H: Local Actions Taken to End Hunger & Build Healthy Communities in Queens, NY

**Mannan Supermarket loads The Gaton Foundation’s food pickup truck | Photo credit: Zara Charitable Foundation**

Simultaneous to the national effort, starting on March 1st, 2023, Zara Charitable Foundation applied compassion to counter hunger problems in Queens, NY. The charity galvanized support for The Gaton Foundation’s “Give & Go” fresh groceries program by engaging Mannan Supermarkets, a halal market, to join the fight against food insecurity by supplying fresh, monthly groceries to feed 200+ multi-generational families with students at Richmond Hill High School.

The initiative provides families with regular, culturally relevant grocery donations each month for a year. Families can sign up for a single donation or routine donations, depending on their needs.

Food resources provided are diverse, with culturally appropriate foodstuffs such as roti, tortillas, lentils, cheese, and more fresh items funded by Zara and assembled by Mannan Supermarkets.

Zara believes that community entities can be the recipe to help Queens families make ends meet, while helping students access nutrition to improve health and education outcomes.

The Zara Charitable Foundation, Mannan Supermarket, and Gaton Foundation food security initiative aligns with multiple pillars of President Biden’s “End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities” Challenge.

With respect to the first pillar, “Improve Food Access and Affordability,” Zara’s contribution enables The Gaton Foundation to improve access to healthy and nutritious foods for Richmond Hill High School students year-round.

In terms of the third pillar, “Empower All Consumers to Make and Have Access to Healthy Choices,” coupled with the donation of fresh groceries, Zara and Gaton seek to (i) create an environment with healthier choices and (ii) bolster local food procurement by partnering with Mannan Supermarkets.

**Zara building and Mannan Supermarket | Photo credit: Zara Charitable Foundation**

This collaboration with nonprofits, food grocers, and educators has elevated awareness of the number of families in Queens, New York that do not have regular access to adequate and nutritious food.

Zara Charitable Foundation is committed to expanding the mission to incorporate elements of Pillar 5 to “Enhance Nutrition and Food Security Research” as part of its overall effort to strengthen access to fresh foods and improve education.

I: Resources for Food Insecure Students in Queens, New York

In Queens there are many great organizations working in partnership to meet the needs of food insecure individuals:

· The Zara Charitable Foundation is funding and Mannan Supermarkets is supplying fresh groceries for The Gaton Foundation’s “Give & Go” program monthly to Richmond Hill High School families for one year, with each donation serving 200+ families.

· The website foodhelp.nyc.gov has an interactive database of all food pantries across all five boroughs of New York that shows the location, operating hours, and types of food served at various community service locations.

· Residents can also call 311 or go to portal.311.nyc.gov to access help locating food pantries and community kitchens serving their area.

**NYC Mayor Eric Adams signs bill into law | Photo credit: NYC.gov |** ***LINK***

The Zara Charitable Foundation is funding and Mannan Supermarkets is supplying fresh groceries for The Gaton Foundation’s “Give & Go” program monthly to Richmond Hill High School families for one year, with each donation serving 200+ families.

· Residents can also call 311 or go to portal.311.nyc.gov to access help locating food pantries and community kitchens serving their area.

· Ample Harvest connects food pantries in all 50 states with fresh, local produce.

· Feeding America offers information on food pantries everywhere in the United States

J: New York Legislative Initiatives Aimed at Tackling Food Insecurity

New York’s elected leaders have also addressed food insecurity.

On February 10, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed two executive orders that address unequal access to healthy and nutritious food in New York.

Executive Order 8 revised the standard of food served at New York City food pantries and food banks. Executive Order 9 requires any advertising of food from city agencies to include representation of healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Both orders went into immediate effect. [40]

During the pandemic in 2020, New York State launched an initiative called ‘Nourish NY’ that re-directed surplus product from New York farmers to food pantries and banks in need of resources. Originally planned to be a pandemic relief program to support both farms and hungry families alike, Nourish NY has had such success that it was codified into law in November 2021. In the State Fiscal Years 2021–22 and 2022–23, Nourish NY received over $108 million in state funding. [41]

In March 2023, the office of the New York State Comptroller published a report on food insecurity and nutritional assistance program that called for an expansion of SNAP and WIC programs and eligibility requirements, renewal of the Federal Child Tax Credit Expansion, and proposed a $50 million increase in funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program. 40

K: Conclusion: Accept the White House Challenge & Work Together to Secure Access to Food for New York Students and Families

As this report illustrates, the epidemic of food insecurity impacts millions of young Americans, placing them at risk of chronic disease and even premature death, in addition to problems of focus, concentration, and jeopardizes both educational and professional success.

Queens students, particularly students of color, are disproportionately affected. As a result, families must worry about not only performance in school and at work, but also about where their next meal will come from.

President Biden’s challenge to public and private industry stakeholders to join the fight to “End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities” is a major step in the right direction to secure access to food for those in need.

Zara Charitable Foundation, Mannan Supermarkets, and The Gaton Foundation believe that more groups should accept the White House challenge to end hunger and build healthy communities, especially in Queens. This includes school administrators, community nonprofits, food establishments, federal, state, and local governments, and businesses from all five boroughs. [42]

Working collectively, a brighter spotlight can be shined on this critical topic, bringing new community partners and resources together to fight hunger, improve educational outcomes for students while strengthen community health and helping local families thrive.