Kathy Hochul declares state of emergency for NY over SNAP food stamps freeze during shutdown

ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a “food emergency” across the state Thursday as the federal government says SNAP benefits will run dry this weekend amid the federal shutdown.

“We’re not going to be passive observers to this,” Hochul said from a food pantry in Harlem.

The governor announced she would pump an additional $65 million in New York emergency food relief funds to keep benefits flowing after the freeze expected to begin Saturday.

Kathy Hochul declared a ‘food emergency.’ Aristide Economopoulos

A Food Bazaar in East New York. Gregory P. Mango

That’s on top of $30 million she announced earlier this week.

Hochul said New York receives and distributes around $650 million per month for SNAP from the feds.