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Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program

Thousands of low-income families in New York City turn to emergency food providers such as pantries and soup kitchens to feed their children. Forty percent of emergency food programs report an increase in the number of working poor seeking assistance. Each year, 400,000 people in New York City suffer from moderate or severe hunger; 118,000 are children. Hunger is on the rise, and emergency food programs need a steady supply of wholesome, nutritious food to meet this demand.

Program History

United Way of New York City has a long history of fighting hunger and homelessness with creative and successful initiatives. Since 1984, United Way of New York City has managed a contract awarded by the New York State Department of Health, Division of Nutrition's Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP). United Way of NYC-HPNAP is dedicated to improving the health and nutritional status of New Yorkers by providing support and grants for equipment, operations and food, which must include at least 15% spending on fresh produce. We have worked with local nonprofits such as soup kitchens and community centers to create nutrition education and exercise programs as well as a Community Supported Agriculture program that brings farm fresh produce to food pantries and soup kitchens.

Key Services Offered

• Grants to purchase nutritious food, support existing operational services and provide needed equipment to meet food safety requirements.
• Eat Well, Play Hard grants to initiate nutrition education programs, physical activity/wellness programs or begin community gardens.
• Grants for farm fresh produce through Community Supported Agriculture partnerships between New York State farmers and Just Food, a local nonprofit.
• Monthly Nutrition and Food Safety Workshops and monthly newsletters.
• Nutrition education materials in English, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
• Specialized nutrition curricula for Eat Well, Play Hard Mini-Grants and special Seed Grants for organizations which service needy children and adults.
• Food Pantry Packing Guides, Soup Kitchen Menu Manuals and technical assistance to improve program operations.
• Management of innovative city-wide database that maximizes distribution of resources and enables emergency food providers to locate funding assistance and support.

Program Goals

In 2006-2007, United Way-HPNAP plans to assist approximately 370 emergency food relief organizations that provide food and supportive services to low-income and homeless families in New York City.

Program Highlights

• In 2005-2006, United Way of NYC-HPNAP provided $3,537,737 in funding for food, operations, equipment and food safety supplies to 398 programs sites. HPNAP funded programs serve approximately 783,530 needy people per month.
• Each year our Community Supported Agriculture program provides more than 35,000 pounds of farm fresh produce from New York State farmers to emergency food programs.
• In 2005-2006, United Way of NYC-HPNAP staff provided onsite technical nutrition and food safety assistance to over 238 Emergency Food Relief Organizations.
• Through Eat Well, Play Hard grants, United Way of NYC-HPNAP funded two after school programs that incorporated nutrition education in their curriculum and three community-based organizations that introduced yoga, dancing and tai chi to their adult clients in 2005-2006.

For more information about United Way's Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, please contact Rosario Valenzuela at (212) 251-4120 or rvalenzuela@uwnyc.org.

Our Partners in the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program  We rely on the expertise and support of many organizations to ensure the effectiveness of United Way of NYC-HPNAP: Founding Partner New York State Department of Health, Division of Nutrition Funding Partners New York State Department of Health, Division of Nutrition United Way donors Local Partners New York State Department of Health Metropolitan Area Regional Office New York City Human Resources Administration New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Food Bank For New York City City Harvest Just Food United Way of New York City Community-based Partners Through HPNAP, United Way of New York City works with over 360 emergency food relief and community organizations assisting New Yorkers in need in all five boroughs.

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