CM Abreu questions DOHMH on SNAP-Ed funding expiration
Councilmember Abreu asks about SNAP-Ed funding expiring in September 2026. Anderson explains it's $1.7M funding 17 staff, with the deadline extended through state conversations. Dr. McNatt notes the hardest-hit neighborhoods include South Bronx, East Harlem, and Central Brooklyn.
Thank you, Chair.
And thank you, Commissioner, for testifying today.
Thank you, Majority Leader.
The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program Education, SNAP-Ed, that program provides nutrition education, healthy eating support, and food budgeting resources to low-income families.
income individuals and families across New York City.
SNAP-Ed programming has historically supported neighborhoods with experiencing high rates of food insecurity and diet-related illness.
With minimal remaining SNAP-Ed funding expected to expire in September 2026, it is important to understand how DOHMH plans to sustain these services and prevent disruptions for vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on nutrition education and food access.
My question is, how is the HMH preparing to prevent disruptions to nutrition education and healthy eating programs serving low-income New Yorkers?
Yeah, it's a great question.
First of all, we know that food is medicine for some of our most vulnerable patients.
Really the challenge that many of them are having is that they are having to choose between
paying for medications or putting more food in their fridge.
And so SNAP is one of the key interventions that can help address that.
Now, with regard to SNAP-Ed, we're working closely with OMB, with our colleagues at the state, to identify what the funding needs would be.
I'm going to hand it over to Aaron to share a little bit more about this.
Yeah, thanks for the question.
Yeah, SNAP-Ed is a, you know, we receive a relatively small amount of money.
It's a little bit less than $2 million.
I think it's $1.7 million.
Funds about 17 staff who are currently on board.
This is one that we all across the nation learned about with the HR1.
Passage last year that was going to be phased out.
So yes, the natural expiration of this funding is coming up in September.
And given its relatively small size, do you think this is something that the administration will be able to cover?
I mean, this is another good example of, first of all, I think the deadline was already extended through conversations with the state, which was great.
So this is funding that we received through New York State Department of Health.
So we are continuing conversations with the state.
We're certainly continuing conversations with the city and the admin.
What population, sorry, you were responding?