New York’s $10 Million Initiative to Combat Food Deserts and Promote Healthy Eating

In a significant move to enhance food accessibility, New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a $10 million Food Access Expansion Grant Program to improve healthy food options in underserved areas, particularly where families struggle to find fresh produce. This initiative is particularly critical for many communities, including those on Staten Island’s North Shore, where food environments hinder residents from accessing affordable, nutritious food.

Defining Food Deserts

According to the USDA, a food desert is a low-income census tract with limited access to healthy and affordable food. These geographic areas lack access to fresh and affordable produce, often due to the absence of nearby supermarkets. A 2023 report from the Office of the State Comptroller highlighted a troubling statistic: approximately 800,000 households in New York experienced food insecurity between 2019 and 2021. For families in these areas, the lack of accessible supermarkets forces them to rely on smaller neighborhood markets and bodegas that frequently offer less nutritious options at higher prices.