Joel Berg talked about his “Good Foods, Good Jobs: Turning Food Deserts into Food Oases” paper for the Progressive Policy Institute on May 5th. He was joined by Head Judge of Bravo’s “Top Chef” Tom Colicchio, Deputy Secretary of USDA Dr. Kathleen Merrigan and Co-Director of Farm Fresh Markets Ann Yonkers. Read more.

Last night the NY State Senate passed S6291, which eliminates the requirement that food stamp applicants be finger imaged to receive their benefits. ...read more

The NY State Senate passed a bill (S6291) that would eliminate the finger imaging requirement for food stamps. The bill was amended as it underwent debate in the Assembly (A1681A).
Now, both the Senate and Assembly have to get the bill to a vote in special session. To ensure they do so, email or call both your State Senator and Assemblyman. Read more.

Joel Berg, the New York City Coalition Against Hunger’s Executive Director, recently spoke at the Culinary Institute of America. Toque Mag wrote about his speech on their blog. Read the post here.

City Limits reports on the difficulties facing farmers’ markets and CSAs with reaching customers with food stamps. Only 20 of the 90 CSAs in New York City accpet food stamps as a form of payment. The New York City Coalition Against Hunger runs three CSAs targeting low income families and food stamp users. Joel Berg talks about some of the struggles low income families face when it comes to joining a CSA. Read more.