As the cost of food continues to soar, more than half of New Yorkers have taken on additional debt in the past year to feed their families, according to a new poll commissioned by No Kid Hungry New York.
The poll, conducted by Change Research, found that 53% of New Yorkers incurred debt over the past 12 months due to rising food prices. The financial strain has also taken a toll on residents' well-being, with 63% reporting negative effects on their mental health and 52% saying their physical health has suffered, according to a press release.
“This should be a wake-up call to policymakers in Albany and Washington: New York families need help,” said Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York. “New Yorkers, regardless of region or political party, all agree on the solution: we need bipartisan support for common-sense programs like SNAP, universal school meals, and Summer EBT that help families put food on the table.”
The findings come as Congress considers budget proposals that would cut funding for federal food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and Summer EBT. The poll found that 62% of New Yorkers oppose such cuts, with strong opposition in the Hudson Valley (65%) and Long Island (55%).
Additionally, 84% of New Yorkers believe school meals should be free for all students, 82% say food assistance benefits should rise with food prices, and 91% agree that ending hunger should be a bipartisan priority.
The poll, which surveyed 1,596 New Yorkers from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14, revealed that the food crisis has hit certain communities especially hard. About 52% of New York City residents reported taking on additional debt to buy food, while 61% said their mental health had suffered.
Many New Yorkers reported that higher food assistance benefits would allow them to make healthier choices. Nearly half (46%) said they would buy more protein-rich foods like meat, fish and eggs if they had an extra $80 in their grocery budget, while 44% would buy more fresh produce.
The survey also highlighted the economic benefits of food assistance programs. A majority (60%) of respondents said programs like SNAP, WIC and Summer EBT positively impact local businesses where recipients spend their benefits. Additionally, 74% of respondents said they would shop more at local stores if they had an additional $80 in their grocery budget.
