New York State Produced Food to be Distributed by Feeding Westchester as part of Governor Cuomo’s Nourish NY Initiative

WHAT:            As part of Governor Cuomo’s Nourish New York initiative, Feeding Westchester is hosting a drive-thru food distribution of New York agricultural products to help people in need of food assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic. New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, who is a part of the team leading the Governor’s Nourish New York program, will attend the distribution on behalf of Governor Cuomo. Through Nourish New York, Feeding Westchester has purchased milk and cheese. Feeding Westchester serves around 300 families at its drive-thru distributions each week, reaching more than 1,000 people at each one.

Feeding Westchester has purchased more than 40,000 pounds of surplus dairy products from New York farmers since the launch of Nourish New York. Governor Cuomo’s Nourish New York initiative provides $25 million for food banks across the state to procure products produced in New York.

WHEN:           11 a.m.  – 1 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2020 Interview opportunities 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. 

WHERE:        Feeding Westchester, 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY

WHY:             Amid an unprecedented surge in demand for food assistance across New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that the state is providing $25 million for food banks and other emergency food providers. The Nourish New York initiative aims to quickly reroute New York’s surplus agricultural products (including products grown in the Hudson Valley) to the populations who need them through the state’s food banks. The Nourish New York program also provides economic relief for the state’s food producers and farmers who have lost markets as a result of school and restaurant closures.

Feeding Westchester has seen the need more than double from a year ago, distributing nearly 5 million pounds of food from March 2nd to date. The number of people living with food insecurity has increased from about 200,000 before the pandemic to more than 500,000 – in a county of 1 million people.

WHO:              New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado

                        Feeding Westchester Vice President Matt Honeycutt

Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan