New York's food donation and recycling program has redirected a record 110 million pounds of edible food to people in need, state officials announced during Hunger Action Month.
The milestone comes as more than 1,400 additional businesses and institutions prepare to join the program in 2027 under an expansion of the state Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.
Feeding New York State, the association representing the state's 10 Feeding America member food banks, reported the total through its work with grocery stores, restaurants, colleges and other large food generators. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the effort is helping address food insecurity while keeping usable food out of landfills.
State officials said about 3 million New Yorkers lack dependable access to food. At the same time, an estimated 7.8 billion pounds of food are wasted in New York each year, with baked goods, produce, meat, shelf-stable items and frozen food among the most commonly discarded products.
How the food recovery law works
The law requires businesses and institutions that generate large quantities of wasted food to donate edible surplus. They must also recycle remaining scraps when they are close enough to an organics recycler, reducing the methane and other climate pollution associated with landfilled food.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has provided $10.8 million through the Environmental Protection Fund since 2018 to Feeding New York State and its 10 regional food banks. The money supports staff who work directly with food businesses and institutions, along with vehicles and equipment that expand pickup capacity for food pantries, meal centers and partner agencies.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the law has significantly increased the amount of food available to relief organizations. She encouraged businesses and institutions interested in starting or expanding donation programs to use Feeding New York State's assistance.
The program has accelerated this year. Feeding New York State reported receiving more than 26 million pounds of donated food through July 2026, exceeding the amount collected during all of 2024. The program had reached 63 million pounds by September 2025.
More organizations will be covered
Amendments Hochul signed in 2025 will lower the threshold for participation and extend the distance requirement for recycling. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, entities generating at least 1 ton of wasted food per week will be covered, and the organics-recycler radius will increase from 25 miles to 50 miles.
The weekly generation threshold will drop again to a half-ton on Jan. 1, 2029. DEC is finalizing regulations needed to carry out the changes.
More than 1,400 new entities are expected to become subject to the law in 2027. The expansion will cover additional businesses in sectors already participating and add operations such as airports, convention and trade shows, and food processors.
Feeding New York State Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper said the broader requirements create an opportunity to recover more food, but the statewide network will need enough infrastructure and capacity to handle the increase. She said continued state support will be important to convert the expansion into more collections and less waste.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said food recovery also supports farmers and local food access. Empire State Development President Hope Knight said participating businesses can reduce waste while strengthening the communities they serve.
Hunters can donate venison
State officials also reminded hunters that they can contribute deer or money through the Venison Donation Coalition and Feeding New York State. DEC works with those groups, regional food banks, processors, nonprofits and the state Health Department to distribute donated meat.
Hunters contribute nearly 40 tons of venison each year, according to the state. In 2025, DEC directed more than $14,400 in hunter-donated funds to Feeding New York State and more than $7,000 to the Venison Donation Coalition.
New hunting regulations for fall 2026 provide additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer. Hunters can donate a deer or a portion of one at a participating processor, support a regional food bank or contribute to the Venison Donation Coalition while buying a hunting license to help cover processing costs.
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