New York City Coalition Against Hunger
Encyclopedia
The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) is a nonprofit organization
, which aims to “enact innovative solutions to help society move ‘beyond the soup kitchen’ to ensure economic and food self-sufficiency for all Americans”. NYCCAH works collaboratively with local, state, and national legislatures as well as New York residents and community associations. In contrast to other organizations, NYCCAH generally does not distribute food but rather concerns itself with providing technical assistance to groups which do while simultaneously affecting hunger policy at a more macro-urban scale.
In 1986 NYCCAH persuaded the City of New York
to start allocating funds to help support soup kitchens and food pantries.
In 1994 Interfaith Voices Against Hunger, a project established by NYCCAH, helped create City programs to prevent evictions and publicize the Federal food stamp program.
More recently, NYCCAH partnered with other city groups to form the NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Reauthorization. The alliance lobbied Congress
to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act
in order to maintain the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, WIC
, and CACFP
for another 5 years. Furthermore, after the law was passed, it increased the federal reimbursement for free school lunches by 6 cents and the number of after-school meals to be distributed nationwide by 20 million. However, the law did cut food stamp funding.
as a Visiting Fellow.
Before becoming executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger in 2001, Berg served two years as USDA coordinator of community food security, a new position, in which he created and implemented the first-ever federal initiative to better enable faith-based and other nonprofit groups to address concerns surrounding food security. Also while at the USDA, he served as director of national service, director of public liaison, and as acting director of public affairs and press secretary.
From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Berg served as a policy analyst for the Progressive Policy Institute
and a domestic policy staff member for then President-elect Bill Clinton
's transition team. Berg has published widely on the topics of hunger, national and community service, and grassroots community partnerships. He is the past winner of the US Secretary of Agriculture's Honor Award for Superior Service and the Congressional Hunger Center's Mickey Leland National Hunger Fighter Award.
(HRA) and host community-based organizations – allows eligible New Yorkers to apply, with assistance, for food stamps online at food pantries and soup kitchens throughout New York City. Approximately 80% of clients applying at NYCCAH host sites receive benefits.
to provide a greater amount of children with balanced meals.
(CSA) model that makes healthy, organic, fresh vegetables accessible to community members of all income levels. The cost of a CSA share varies in relation to the purchaser's reported income.
of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS), the WalMart Foundation, and Trinity Church Wall Street. The main focus is to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps). The VISTA members also serve to increase the capacity of anti-hunger community organizations to provide comprehensive benefit assistance and outreach to low-income constituents, particularly to seniors, working families, and Latino populations.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, which aims to “enact innovative solutions to help society move ‘beyond the soup kitchen’ to ensure economic and food self-sufficiency for all Americans”. NYCCAH works collaboratively with local, state, and national legislatures as well as New York residents and community associations. In contrast to other organizations, NYCCAH generally does not distribute food but rather concerns itself with providing technical assistance to groups which do while simultaneously affecting hunger policy at a more macro-urban scale.
History
Community leaders established the New York City Coalition Against Hunger in 1983 with the intention of coordinating the activities of the emergency food providers. Over the years-through multiple initiatives- NYCCAH established itself within the greater framework of hunger advocacy.In 1986 NYCCAH persuaded the City of New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to start allocating funds to help support soup kitchens and food pantries.
In 1994 Interfaith Voices Against Hunger, a project established by NYCCAH, helped create City programs to prevent evictions and publicize the Federal food stamp program.
More recently, NYCCAH partnered with other city groups to form the NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Reauthorization. The alliance lobbied Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act
Child Nutrition Act
The Child Nutrition Act is a United States federal law signed on October 11, 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Act was created as a result of the "years of cumulative successful experience under the National School Lunch Program to help meet the nutritional needs of children." The National...
in order to maintain the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, WIC
WIC
The abbreviation WIC can mean:*Walta Information Center, a news agency based in Ethiopia.*Dutch West India Company, a former trading cooperation that led to the establishment of some Dutch colonies....
, and CACFP
Child and Adult Care Food Program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a type of United States Federal assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to States in order to provide a daily subsidized food service for an estimated 3.2 million children and 112,000 elderly or mentally or physically impaired adults in...
for another 5 years. Furthermore, after the law was passed, it increased the federal reimbursement for free school lunches by 6 cents and the number of after-school meals to be distributed nationwide by 20 million. However, the law did cut food stamp funding.
Leadership
Joel Berg is NYCCAH’s current executive director. He is a nationally recognized leader in the fields of hunger and food security, national and community service, and technical assistance provision to faith-based and community organizations. In conjunction with his position at NYCCAH, Mr. Berg conducts policy research on behalf of the Center for American ProgressCenter for American Progress
The Center for American Progress is a progressive public policy research and advocacy organization. Its website states that the organization is "dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action." It has its headquarters in Washington D.C.Its President and Chief...
as a Visiting Fellow.
Before becoming executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger in 2001, Berg served two years as USDA coordinator of community food security, a new position, in which he created and implemented the first-ever federal initiative to better enable faith-based and other nonprofit groups to address concerns surrounding food security. Also while at the USDA, he served as director of national service, director of public liaison, and as acting director of public affairs and press secretary.
From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Berg served as a policy analyst for the Progressive Policy Institute
Progressive Policy Institute
The Progressive Policy Institute is a think tank in the United States, founded in 1989 which styles itself as promoting the ideas of "New Democrats." It covers a very wide range of issues and describes itself as centrist, although progressive critics frequently describe it as conservative,...
and a domestic policy staff member for then President-elect Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's transition team. Berg has published widely on the topics of hunger, national and community service, and grassroots community partnerships. He is the past winner of the US Secretary of Agriculture's Honor Award for Superior Service and the Congressional Hunger Center's Mickey Leland National Hunger Fighter Award.
Interfaith Voices Against Hunger
The Interfaith Voices Against Hunger (IVAH)/Feed the Solution program organizes religious and civic leaders to advocate on behalf of their followers and constituents.Food Action Board Project
The Food Action Board (FAB) program focuses on developing the leadership and community organizing skills of low-income community members interested in hunger related initiatives. NYCCAH runs five neighborhood groups throughout the city in partnership with emergency food programs. Past FAB members have testified before the New York City Council on a multitude of issues.Annual Survey & Report
NYCCAH conducts extensive field research for its annual hunger survey. The results of the survey are made available to policymakers at multiple levels of government.Food Stamps POS Project
The Food Stamps Paperless Office System (POS) Project – a partnership between NYCCAH, the New York City Human Resources AdministrationNew York City Human Resources Administration
The New York City Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services is a Mayoral Agency of the New York City government in charge of the majority of the city’s social services programs. HRA helps New Yorkers in need through a variety of services that promote employment and personal...
(HRA) and host community-based organizations – allows eligible New Yorkers to apply, with assistance, for food stamps online at food pantries and soup kitchens throughout New York City. Approximately 80% of clients applying at NYCCAH host sites receive benefits.
Child Nutrition Program
NYCCAH works with the New York City Department of EducationNew York City Department of Education
The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system. It is the largest school system in the United States, with over 1.1 million students taught in more than 1,700 separate schools...
to provide a greater amount of children with balanced meals.
Farm-Fresh Project
The Farm-Fresh Project, a city-wide program model, provides members with diverse food options while connecting small local farms to a larger populace. The centerpiece of this program is a mixed income Community Supported AgricultureCommunity-supported agriculture
Community-supported agriculture, a form of an alternative food network, is a socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farming operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food...
(CSA) model that makes healthy, organic, fresh vegetables accessible to community members of all income levels. The cost of a CSA share varies in relation to the purchaser's reported income.
Hunger-Free Communities
On February 23rd, 2011 “Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a series of new initiatives aimed at helping communities increase food access by promoting coordination and partnerships between public, private and non-profit partners.” A consortium of NYC groups-including NYCCAH-received a total of 2 million dollars to pursue these policies. NYCCAH’s stated purpose in the consortium is to create hunger-free communities in all five boroughs.NYC AmeriCorps VISTA Program
NYCCAH places 14 VISTAs per year in New York City emergency food programs, anti-hunger organizations, and its own main office. VISTAs are responsible for managing volunteers, writing grants, and/or providing kitchen and pantries with technical assistance.Volunteer Matching Center
The New York City Coalition Against Hunger operates a volunteer matching website that allows people to “search for volunteer opportunities at soup kitchens in their area”.National AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger Program
The National Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps (AHOC) is a 48-member AmeriCorps VISTA program, sponsored by NYCCAH and generously funded by a public-private partnershipPublic-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
of the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
(USDA), the Corporation for National and Community Service
Corporation For National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and other national service initiatives...
(CNCS), the WalMart Foundation, and Trinity Church Wall Street. The main focus is to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The United States Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , historically and commonly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal-assistance program that provides assistance to low- and no-income people and families living in the U.S. Though the program is administered by the U.S. Department of...
(SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps). The VISTA members also serve to increase the capacity of anti-hunger community organizations to provide comprehensive benefit assistance and outreach to low-income constituents, particularly to seniors, working families, and Latino populations.
Awards
- 2010 - Four Star Charity Award, Charity Navigator
- 2010 - Charity Member, Better Business Bureau
- 2006 - Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Award, World Hunger Year
- 2006 - Builder of the Blessed City Award, Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing
- 2004 - Victory Against Hunger Award, The Congressional Hunger Center