New Report Addresses Needed Action to Prevent Hunger in Rockland County
A new report from TOUCH—Together Our Unity Can Heal, Food Insecurity in Rockland County: The Challenge and Needed Action, reveals that food insecurity remains at urgent levels across our community. The number of people relying on local food pantries has more than doubled since before the pandemic—from 37,147 per month in 2019 to 83,018 per month in 2026, a staggering 120% increase. More than three years after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, demand for emergency food assistance remains more than twice its pre-pandemic level.
Why are so many families struggling? A high median household income does not tell the whole story. According to the United Way’s ALICE analysis, 54% of Rockland County households—more than 56,000 families—do not earn enough to cover the full cost of basic necessities such as housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care. At the same time, food prices have risen more than 35% since 2020. Children are especially vulnerable: approximately 16% of Rockland County children experience food insecurity, while 26% live in families below the Federal poverty level. Hunger affects far more than the dinner table—it can impact children’s health, development, emotional well-being, and ability to succeed in school.
But Rockland County has something powerful: a proven infrastructure for action. Through the Rockland Community Against Hunger (RCAH) coalition, nonprofits, government, food retailers, the Regional Food Bank, volunteers, and community partners work together to rescue good food and get it where it is needed most. RCAH’s Food Recovery Program has recovered and distributed more than 7 million pounds of food since 2018, while its Get Fresh initiative has distributed more than 5 million pounds of fresh produce and nutritious food. Today, recovered food from more than 20 sources each week reaches more than 40 local food pantries and meal programs—turning food that might otherwise go to waste into nourishment for our neighbors.
This Hunger Action Month, the message is clear: the status quo is unacceptable. With federal nutrition assistance programs facing new pressures and local food pantries already serving unprecedented numbers of people, continued investment in proven community solutions is more important than ever. As TOUCH Executive Director Julian Palmer says, “Rockland County has both an urgent need and proven tools for action.” We can protect access to SNAP and other nutrition programs, sustain food recovery efforts, reduce waste, and ensure that nutritious food reaches the people who need it most.
Read the full report by clicking below and join us in taking a bite out of hunger.