Pols spotlight Nourish NY funding troubles

State Sen. George Borrello and Assemblymen Andrew Goodell and Chris Tague descended on Dunkirk Tuesday to spotlight troubles with the state's farm-to-food bank program, Nourish NY.

The press conference at Chautauqua County Rural Ministry on Washington Avenue was meant to highlight delays in getting grants from Nourish NY, after its administration was moved to the Department of Health, from the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

The delays have led to deep worries about funding for food banks such as the Rural Ministry and its Friendly Kitchen.

Borrello said the Rural Ministry "serves hundreds of people, people in need." However, they face a "problem created by bureaucracy in Albany," he said.

He lauded bipartisan work on a November 2021 bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul to make Nourish NY a permanent program. "Unfortunately, it was turned over to the Department of Health," Borrello said.

He stated that the department harmfully changed eligibility rules for food banks. DOH also combined Nourish NY with a federally administered program, and their differeimg constituencies and purposes have created a red tape "nightmare," Borrello added.

"This is a crisis created by bureaucracy," he reiterated. His Democratic Party colleagues "have tried to get the governor and Department of Health to understand the problem this has created. Unfortunately we haven't had any movement.

"So I'm calling on the governor to fix this. Release those funds," he concluded. He said Nourish NY "helps thousands of farmers across New York state feed people… People on the edge, who just want to put food in the bellies of their children."

Borrello later introduced a Fredonia farmer, Roberto Fred, who he said is deeply harmed by the funding woes because he no longer has his biggest market for produce, the Rural Ministry.

Tague is the ranking Republican on the Assembly Agriculture Committee and drove about five hours from his Schoharie County district to attend Tuesday's presser.

He called Nourish NY "the most important piece of legislation brought to Albany, bipartisanly, in 10 years." Tague also lamented that even though budget costs are soaring, "We still can't fund the necessity projects."

He demanded, "Hold our government accountable for the mismanagement that has placed Nourish NY in jeopardy. … It is time that we straighten our priorities out. This program is a priority. Gov. Hochul, the time to act is now."

Goodell showed up late but provided a succinct final chapter to the press conference. "It is absolutely critical that we put the health and well-being of our children first. It's held up by bureaucratic inefficiency and delays in Albany. That's unacceptable," he said.

Goodell noted that there are many cases where Albany fails to fund vital programs at all. "That's not the case here," he said. "They can't get the money out the door. Real people are being hurt."

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas also offered words of support for fixing the Nourish NY tie-ups. He stated he has had contact with high-ranking officials in Hochul's office and "I remain hopeful that these funds will be appropraied."

Rural Ministries Executive Director Kathleen Peterson stated that they normally do three mass food distributions each month to more than 450 households, totaling more than 12,000 meals. However, there have been no distributions since the first week of June.

She wants "to let our clientele know if and when Nourish NY will be implemented." If it isn't soon, even more cuts will be necessary, she warned.

The Rural Ministry has had to cut several positions while Nourish NY is gummed up. Peterson has reduced herself to part-time status.