Author: Mark Dwyer

SNAP ‘Emergency Allotments’ expiring, reducing benefits for thousands locally

Supplemental Emergency Allotments (EA) of SNAP benefits, which have been issued since April 2020 to help households during the COVID pandemic, will be eliminated after February due to the passage of new federal legislation.   Starting in March, SNAP recipients will get only one allocation per month – their normal benefit. The elimination of supplemental benefits […]

Foodlink supports Healthy School Meals For All NY Kids campaign

Foodlink is one of hundreds of organizations around the state — a diverse coalition of anti-hunger, education, food, nutrition, health, and equity-focused organizations and associations — to support a policy proposal that would establish and fund a statewide, permanent Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA) program. READ: A 2-page snapshot of the policy proposal Foodlink […]

Remembering Edgar

Foodlink’s heart breaks today to learn of the passing of our Community Farm Manager, Edgar Santa Cruz. Edgar joined Foodlink this fall with a passion for engaging with and serving the community, and was eager to help lead the ongoing transformation of the Foodlink Community Farm. His first major project was coordinating a series of […]

Where to find free holiday meals in Rochester

The following list shows the dates and times when Foodlink members (community meal programs within our 10-county service area) are providing free holiday meals between Dec. 12 and Dec. 26. Meals are either held in a sit-down environment, or grab-and-go. All are first come, first served unless otherwise noted. Monday, Dec. 12 Covenant Table (1124 […]

New study: Food hardship up 35% in New York State, 30% Nationwide

The number of people without enough food over one seven-day period spiked by 35 percent in New York State, and 30 percent nationwide between October of 2021 and October of 2022, according to a report by the nonprofit group Hunger Free America, based on an analysis of federal data. The report was released Wednesday at […]

Where to find free holiday meals around Thanksgiving time in the Rochester area

  The following list provides dates and times that Foodlink members (Rochester-area community meal programs) are providing a free holiday meal for people between Nov. 17 and Nov. 24. Meals are either held in a sit-down environment, or are grab & go.   Thursday, Nov. 17 Central Church of Christ (101 S. Plymouth) — 11 […]

White House hosts long-awaited conference on hunger

Anti-hunger advocates celebrated the long-awaited return of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition & Health on Wednesday — the first such conference in more than 50 years. The previous conference that took place in 1969 saw major policy changes and legislation that directly impacted or launched federal nutrition progams, such as SNAP, WIC, school […]

Congressman Morelle and Foodlink mark the start of Hunger Action Month

Congressman Joe Morelle joined Foodlink officials on Wednesday, Sept. 7, to help mark the start of Hunger Action Month and the new school year by taking action to increase food accessibility, lower costs for families, and combat child hunger in Rochester. Morelle highlighted legislation he co-sponsors to provide free school meals to all children, regardless of […]

Hunger Action Month is here! What you need to know

September is Hunger Action Month — a nationwide campaign driven by Feeding America and its network of 200 food banks to inspire people to take action and raise awareness about food insecurity and its root causes in the United States. Foodlink encourages its supporters to get involved any way you can this month in an […]

NYHealth report analyzes connection between food insecurity, public health

A new report released Tuesday by the NYHealth Foundation analyzes food insecurity’s impact on public health, and provides policy recommendations in an effort to improve food security and health going forward. Among the key findings: Connections between food and health: 21% of food-insecure individuals delay or skip medical care, and 13% delay or do not […]