Photo credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
On January 13th, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State agenda made something clear: helping New Yorkers put food on the table is a top priority in Albany — and that matters deeply for families across the state.
Governor Hochul’s agenda included several proposals that directly address child hunger, access to nutrition programs, and the gaps families face when school is out for the summer. Many of these priorities reflect years of advocacy, research, and partnership with organizations working on the ground — including No Kid Hungry New York. We’ve worked closely with state leaders, school districts, community organizations, and families across New York, and it’s encouraging to see these lived realities reflected at the highest levels of state policy.
Here’s our summary of what stood out and why it matters:
Making SNAP Easier to Access Through Schools
New York is one of a few states to offer universal school meals, but meals at school don’t cover everything families need at home. Through our work with schools and community partners, we hear consistently that many families who qualify for SNAP don’t know where to start or don’t realize they’re eligible.
The Governor’s proposal requires schools participating in universal meals to link directly to the state’s SNAP enrollment portal on their websites. This simple but powerful step builds on the trust families already place in schools — meeting them where they are and making it easier to access food benefits that can help stretch household budgets.
Closing the “Summer Gap”
At No Kid Hungry New York, we often say that summer is the hungriest time of year for kids — and that’s because we see it firsthand. When school ends, many children lose access to the meals they rely on, even as household food costs rise.
The Governor’s commitment to working with local communities to identify barriers to operating summer meal sites reflects what we hear from partners every year. This focus on closing the “summer gap” is critical to ensuring children have access to healthy meals year-round — not just during the traditional school year.
Expanding Rural Summer Meal Options
We’ve worked alongside rural communities for years and know that traditional summer meal models don’t always work in places where families live far from centralized meal sites. Transportation barriers, long distances, and limited staffing can make access especially challenging.
That’s why we’re glad to see Governor Hochul include plans to work to expand the number of rural programs implementing flexible options like home delivery and bulk grab-and-go meals in USDA-designated rural areas. The plan calls for the State to partner with nonprofits to provide support and resources to help summer meal sponsors with startup costs and implementation.
Boosting Awareness of Summer EBT
Summer EBT (SEBT) brought more than $200 million in 2025 to local communities and helped families buy groceries when school meals weren’t available. Through our work, No Kid Hungry New York has seen how effective SEBT can be — but only when families know about it and understand how to use it.
The Governor’s announcement of a statewide, cross-agency awareness campaign is an important step toward making sure this benefit reaches every eligible child. Coordinating messaging, and prioritizing clear, accessible communication will be essential to maximizing the impact of SEBT.
Protecting SNAP Benefits from Theft
SNAP benefit theft has become a growing crisis for families across the country and especially right here in New York, and we regularly hear from recipients who’ve lost benefits through no fault of their own. Upgrading EBT cards with chip-based technology is a meaningful safeguard — protecting benefits families rely on to put food on the table and reducing stress during difficult times.
Why This Matters
Taken together, these proposals reflect a growing understanding that food security is about more than meals alone — it’s about access, awareness, dignity, and systems that actually work for families.
Because every child deserves access to nutritious food — in school, at home, and all year long.
