Recently, Assemblymen Cliff Crouch, Joe Errigo, Christopher S. Friend, Joe Giglio and Phil Palmesano were pleased to meet with representatives from The Food Bank of the Southern Tier. The representatives traveled to Albany to share their priorities with their state legislators.

“The Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s mission is to help those who have fallen on hard times in our communities to meet their nutritional needs. For a struggling family, the support they receive from the food bank can be the difference between sending their kids to bed hungry or making sure they have a healthy meal. Their work is critical, and we’re proud to stand with them,” the legislators said in a joint statement.

The lawmakers are continuing to fight for the passage of legislation which would provide tax credits for family farms that donate nutritious agricultural products to food banks. It was passed by both houses of the legislature last session and vetoed by the governor. The legislators plan to again shepherd the common-sense bill through the legislature and again make their case to the governor.

The legislators are also working to protect funding for the state’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP). The agency bolsters the efforts of over 2,500 Emergency Food Relief Organizations (ERFO) to deliver over 239 million meals for New Yorkers who truly need the support.