HAUPPAUGE, New York – March 5, 2021
Long Island Cares Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank received additional emergency funding from New York State, which will provide over 200,000 pounds of local food to serve it’s 336 member agencies throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Through this initiative, Long Island Cares has partnered with local vendors across Long Island such as the East End Food Institute, Haskell’s Fisheries, Nounos Creamery and Balsam Farms to purchase fresh dairy, beef, chicken, fish and fresh produce.
In May of 2020 Governor Cuomo implemented the Nourish NY initiative by providing $25 million to New York State Food Banks in response to the increased demand for food brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, New York farmers and producers of meat and dairy were also faced with their own economic crisis created by school and restaurant closures. This statewide initiative not only assists New York food banks but also ensures that grant money is spent on local vendors, providing the vital resources New York food banks need as well as supporting our local farmers and other agricultural industries.
“The Nourish New York initiative provided critical support for food banks at a time when we were witnessing a more than 60% increase in the need for emergency food assistance on Long Island,” explained Paule Pachter, Long Island Cares’ CEO. “By working collaboratively with Governor Cuomo’s office, the Departments of Health, Agriculture and Markets, and with Feeding New York State, we’ve been able to purchase nearly $1.6 million in additional fresh produce, dairy products and locally caught fish to support our communities in need.”
About Long Island Cares, Inc.
Founded by the late Harry Chapin, Long Island Cares brings together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry and food insecure on Long Island and, to the best of our ability, provides for the humanitarian needs of our community. Our goals are to improve food security for families, sponsor programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency, and educate the general public about the causes and consequences of hunger on Long Island. Our vision is A Hunger Free Long Island. Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank has a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator as well as earning Guidstar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.