Dear Community—For over 50 years, GrowNYC’s programs have kept farmers farming, millions of New Yorkers fed, and communities nourished. But today, we face one of the most serious threats in our history and we need your help.
GrowNYC is currently facing a $2.3 million funding shortfall due to sweeping federal policy changes, frozen and cancelled grants, and anticipated cuts at both the state and city levels. Shifting national priorities are threatening critical food access and agriculture programs—not just in New York, but across the country.
The situation is worsening. The current federal budget proposal slashes billions from SNAP, emergency food, and social services. These programs are our nations first line of defense against hunger. SNAP alone helps more than 42 million in the U.S. people put food on the table.
These devastating cuts will increase hunger across the city, state, and country and put countless farmers out of business. Without intervention, we anticipate:
Up to one-third of all GrowNYC markets may be forced to close
Free support we provide to our regional farmers amid escalating climate-related disruptions and economic uncertainty may need to scale back.
Free environmental and nutrition education GrowNYC provides to hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, older adults, and communities may need to cease.
Free and affordable food we currently distribute may be cut off to community partners in need. Limiting access to fresh food for neighborhoods across the city.
The bottom line: Millions of New Yorkers rely on our programs to feed their families and farmers depend on them to thrive. We can't let these lifelines disappear.
That’s why we’ve launched the GrowNYC Emergency Fund to fight back! This fund will allow us to respond to any food system emergencies, enable us to maintain operations, and carry out strategic initiatives without interruption, including:
Supporting farmers and providing purchasing incentives to customers at Greenmarkets most impacted by cuts to SNAP/EBT, the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (WIC and Seniors), and Health Bucks.
Sustaining our network of GrowNYC Farmstands in underserved neighborhoods. The GrowNYC-operated Farmstands offer produce sourced from New York State and other regional farmers, distributed through our Food Hub.
Bolstering our partnerships with community-based organizations to deliver free, fresh food to neighborhoods struggling with food insecurity. This food is purchased directly from regional farmers and distributed via our Food Hub.
Maintaining free nutrition and environmental education programs to students, families, and older adults.
What’s next: Please stand with us to ensure all New Yorkers have an opportunity to thrive by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you can’t donate, please take the following actions:
Take Action Now: SNAP, Medicaid, and essential social service programs are on the chopping block in the latest federal budget.
Email your elected officials: Send a pre-written email to your legislators today and urge them to protect SNAP, emergency food, and services that keep New Yorkers fed and nourished.
Call your members of congress and encourage your friends to do the same. Please use the steps and sample script below.
Weigh in with your Member of Congress 
Dial 202-224-3121.
If you do not know the name of your Congress Member, say, “I’m not sure.”
Say, “Representative.”
Say your zip code.
Confirm the Representative.
When connected with the office, you can leave a message with the staffer who answers or ask to be connected to the staffer who works on SNAP.
*Sample script: “Hi, my name is ____, and I am a constituent from Senator/Representative _____’s state/District calling to urge them to reject proposed cuts to the SNAP program. Grocery prices and hunger are increasing in the country. SNAP is a lifeline for 42 million people in the U.S., including families with children and older adults. I strongly urge the Senator/Member to protect access to this critical program and oppose cuts or harmful policy changes that would threaten people's ability to put food on the table. I want my Representative to speak out and vote against any cuts to SNAP.”
*Be sure to share your personal story, letting them know why SNAP matters to you and your community, and the millions of Americans and farmers whose futures hang in the balance.
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