New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced $8.3 million in capital grants for 59 food banks and emergency food assistance organizations across New York State on Oct. 26. More than $2.2 million of the funding will go to New York City organizations, $1.2 million of which will go to Kings County.
The grants were funded through the New York Providing Local Access to Essential Sustenance, or PLATES, program and will help organizations expand storage, improve distribution and upgrade facilities.
“Food banks and emergency food organizations are cornerstones of local communities across the state, ensuring no family goes hungry,” said Dr. James McDonald, state health commissioner. “These investments will help strengthen the organizations that New Yorkers rely on for food assistance.”
Locations in Brooklyn include Center for Family Life and City Harvest in Sunset Park, Community Help in Park Slope, the Council of Peoples Organization in Coney Island, the YM-YWHA in Kings Bay, The Campaign Against Hunger, Masbia of Boro Park and Masbia of Flatbush and St. John’s Bread & Life Program.
The funding comes after Hochul secured $10 million for NY PLATES in the FY27 Enacted budget, as part of an effort to strengthen emergency food assistance during federal cuts to nutrition programs.
A study from Harvard Kennedy School estimates that Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed into law in July of 2025, will reduce SNAP funding by approximately $186 billion over 10 years.
“No New Yorker should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” Hochul said in a press release. “As Washington cuts critical food assistance programs, New York is stepping up to help the organizations that families depend on every day.”
Other recent food assistance funding in New York State includes $72 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, $395 million for Universal Free School Meals and more.
For an itemized list of grants for each county and their improvement specificities, visit the NYC PLATES grant page.
