To the Editor:

Feeding America recently released its annual Map the Meal Gap study, and the results are bleak. In the 23 counties served by the Regional Food Bank, more than 355,000 people, or 12.2 percent of the population, are food insecure. A staggering 15.4 percent of children in the region experience food insecurity. Both represent an increase compared to last year’s numbers.

In Albany County this year, there are 4,000 more people who are food insecure, or an increase of 11 percent.

In addition, due to federal cuts, the Regional Food Bank is receiving less food from the United States Department of Agriculture. This food is in high demand from the more than 1,000 agency partners we serve, including the Altamont Community Food Pantry.

This includes healthy and nutritious meats, fish, dairy, fruits, and vegetables from across the country, which ends up on plates right here in Albany County.

To correct some common misconceptions which were shared in a recent letter to the editor, this food is not “free overstock items” [“Federal cuts and tariffs hurt Altamont food pantry, please help and speak out,” The Altamont Enterprise, May 21, 2025]. This is food we order and ultimately deliver and distribute to communities from the lower Hudson Valley to the Canadian border.

 Also, at the Regional Food Bank, we do not order canned food directly from China or Mexico and we are not experiencing any impact, to date, based on the current tariff landscape.

These are significant challenges, but our staff, volunteers, partners, and generous supporters are resilient. The Regional Food Bank is working to find new ways to close these gaps, knowing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

We are expanding our Retail Rescue program, where every day we go to grocery stores and pick up food, which is still healthy and nutritious, and distribute it to our neighbors in need. We are also working with our elected officials to help them understand the impact on our communities. [“‘It’s not waste, it’s investment’ say food pantry partners at Tonko roundtable,” The Altamont Enterprise, April 9, 2025].

Finally, we are working with our business leaders and sponsors to raise additional funds to provide more food to our neighbors in need. If you would like to help, please consider volunteering your time either at the Food Bank in Latham or the Patroon Land Farm, right here in Knox [“New Greenhouses at Patroon Land Farm,” The Altamont Enterprise, May 15, 2025].

Our mission continues in these challenging times and when our communities come together to support each other, we can overcome any obstacle.  

Nick Pasini

Chief Operations Officer

Regional Food Bank