Senator Gillibrand visits Union Square to Challenge Food Stamp Cuts

On Monday, the Union Square Greenmarket hosted New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Marcel Van Ooyen, executive director of GrowNYC, as well as anti-hunger advocates including chef Tom Coliccio and Joel Berg, executive director of New York City Coalition Against Hunger. The Senator announced the introduction of her proposed amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill, challenging the $4.5 billion in cuts to SNAP (Food Stamps) over the next ten years.
"This Farm Bill is much more than a set of esoteric numbers. It’s very much about the decisions we are making regarding economic growth, regarding our agriculture industries, and the moral obligation we have to our families that are at risk," said Senator Gillibrand. "Food stamps are an extraordinary investment because for every dollar that you put into the SNAP program, you get out $1.71. Under the current bill, families in New York will lose about $90 a month in their food stamps, which means in the third week of the month, many families’ children will go to school hungry. It also means less food on a kitchen table for children. I have very grave concerns about what that says about us, and what we’re going to do about it."
As Greenmarket shoppers know, Food Stamps are a critical component of GrowNYC's Greenmarket program. 90% of our markets accept EBT/Food Stamps, ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to healthy local food, and these dollars provide an important revenue source for Greenmarket farmers. Since 2007, Greenmarkets around the city have seen a steady increase in sales made at market with Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.
"Over the course of the last five years, GrowNYC's EBT initiative has resulted in $1.53 million in revenue to farmers, generating an estimated $2.8 million of regional economic activity according to the USDA," said Marcel Van Ooyen, Executive Director of GrowNYC. "The exponential growth of EBT dollars spent at our Greenmarkets since 2007 demonstrates an ever increasing demand from all New Yorkers for fresh, healthy food. By providing access to the freshest food available, the food stamp at farmers market program plays a major role in curbing diet related disease, and ensures a healthier lifestyle for all citizens while simultaneously supporting regional agriculture. The proposed cut to the food stamp program would mean a devastating loss to farmers, as well as the families who need this assistance the most."
Read the full press release from the event, and watch the video below of Senator Gillibrand as she introduced her amendment on the Senate floor yesterday.
Recent Posts
- Be a Greenmarket or Farmstand Winter Warrior!
- 2024 Holiday Schedule - Greenmarkets & Farmstands
- Health Bucks, Greenmarket Bucks, and FreshConnect checks will expire December 31st
- GrowNYC Weather Alert
- Deck the Halls - 2024 Greenmarket Gift Guide & Christmas Trees + Holiday Wreaths at Greenmarkets
- Summer EBT benefits expire starting November 28th
- 2024 Thanksgiving Week Schedule - Greenmarkets and Farmstands
- Greenmarket Shoppers - We want to hear from YOU!
- Greenmarket 2024 Turkey Guide
- Donate A Bag This November and Help Feed New York
Tags
- Grains
- compost
- recycle
- recycling
- greenmarket
- kids
- union square
- swap
- youthmarket
- grow to learn
- reuse
- learn it grow it eat it
Archives
- December 2024 (5)
- November 2024 (4)
- September 2024 (1)
- August 2024 (1)
- July 2024 (4)
- June 2024 (1)
- April 2024 (1)
- March 2024 (1)
- February 2024 (1)
- December 2023 (1)
- November 2023 (3)
- October 2023 (4)
- May 2023 (1)
- April 2023 (2)
- December 2022 (1)
- November 2022 (3)
- September 2022 (1)
- June 2022 (1)
- April 2022 (2)
- March 2022 (2)
- December 2021 (2)
- November 2021 (1)
- October 2021 (3)
- September 2021 (3)
- August 2021 (2)
- June 2021 (3)
- May 2021 (1)
- April 2021 (1)
- March 2021 (1)
- January 2021 (8)
- December 2020 (2)
- October 2020 (3)
- July 2020 (1)
- June 2020 (2)
- March 2020 (6)
- February 2020 (3)
- January 2020 (2)
- December 2019 (2)
- November 2019 (1)
- October 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (7)
- July 2019 (4)
- June 2019 (1)
- May 2019 (1)
- April 2019 (3)
- March 2019 (4)
- February 2019 (3)
- January 2019 (3)
- November 2018 (3)
- October 2018 (3)
- September 2018 (1)
- August 2018 (2)
- July 2018 (4)
- June 2018 (5)
- May 2018 (1)
- April 2018 (1)
- February 2018 (3)
- December 2017 (2)
- November 2017 (3)
- October 2017 (7)
- September 2017 (4)
- August 2017 (3)
- July 2017 (1)
- June 2017 (2)
- May 2017 (4)
- April 2017 (1)
- March 2017 (2)
- February 2017 (2)
- January 2017 (3)
- November 2016 (1)
- August 2016 (1)
- July 2016 (4)
- April 2016 (2)
- March 2016 (4)
- February 2016 (2)
- January 2016 (1)
- December 2015 (4)
- November 2015 (2)
- October 2015 (2)
- September 2015 (4)
- August 2015 (2)
- July 2015 (2)
- June 2015 (3)
- May 2015 (2)
- April 2015 (2)
- March 2015 (1)
- February 2015 (2)
- January 2015 (2)
- December 2014 (3)
- November 2014 (5)
- October 2014 (3)
- September 2014 (3)
- August 2014 (3)
- July 2014 (3)
- June 2014 (2)
- May 2014 (5)
- April 2014 (4)
- March 2014 (2)
- February 2014 (3)
- January 2014 (1)
- December 2013 (4)
- November 2013 (3)
- October 2013 (5)
- September 2013 (4)
- August 2013 (2)
- July 2013 (4)
- June 2013 (2)
- March 2013 (2)
- February 2013 (2)
- January 2013 (2)
- December 2012 (3)
- November 2012 (2)
- October 2012 (3)
- September 2012 (2)
- August 2012 (5)
- July 2012 (4)
- June 2012 (3)
- May 2012 (2)
- April 2012 (4)
- March 2012 (7)
- February 2012 (5)
- January 2012 (9)
- November 2011 (7)
- October 2011 (4)
- September 2011 (2)
- August 2011 (7)
- July 2011 (4)
- June 2011 (1)
- May 2011 (4)
- April 2011 (3)
- March 2011 (5)
- February 2011 (3)
- January 2011 (5)
- December 2010 (5)
- November 2010 (7)
- October 2010 (6)
- August 2010 (1)
- June 2009 (1)
- May 2009 (1)
- March 2009 (1)
- November 2008 (2)
- August 2008 (1)