County Executive Metzger Takes Action on Food Access Emergency
Published on October 30, 2025
With No Federal SNAP Funding After Oct. 31 Due to Shutdown, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger Takes Action on Food Access Emergency
KINGSTON, NY - In response to the ongoing federal shutdown and anticipated cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger announced today a series of emergency measures in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley (CFHV), to protect food access for vulnerable residents.
Nearly 1 in 10 Ulster County residents — approximately 18,000 people — rely on SNAP to afford enough to eat. This essential federal safety-net program injects roughly $4 million each month into the local economy and household food budgets. Without immediate federal action, these benefits could be cut off as early as November 1, leaving thousands of families at risk of hunger.
To help mitigate the impact, Ulster County is redirecting nearly $350,000 to three of the largest area food pantries with the widest operating hours and geographic coverage:
- People’s Place (Kingston)
- Rondout Valley Food Pantry (Stone Ridge)
- Family of Woodstock (Woodstock, Ellenville, and New Paltz locations)
In partnership with the CFHV, Ulster County is also launching a special Emergency Food Fund to support local hunger relief efforts in smaller food pantries around the County. Community members are encouraged to contribute at tinyurl.com/UlsterFoodAccessFund. Funds are expected to be distributed as early as next week to meet urgent needs. We encourage residents and businesses to make a donation if they are able, and/or volunteer at your local food pantry.
County Executive Metzger also sent a letter to Congress today urging swift bipartisan action to restore federal funding for SNAP and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which helps low-income households afford heating during the winter months. The letter, along with a map of Ulster County food pantries, is attached to this release.
“The Administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding on November 1 rather than follow past practice and draw on contingency funds threatens to create a food access emergency for thousands of people in our County,” said County Executive Jen Metzger. “I am redirecting nearly $350,000 to help meet immediate needs as a stopgap measure — but the real solution must come from the federal and state government. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her announcement today declaring a state food emergency and allocating an additional $65 million in state hunger funding. This is an important action; however, SNAP funding must be fully restored to meet the need, and I urge Congress to act immediately.”
“We commend Ulster County’s proactive leadership and strategic response to this emerging food access crisis,” said Laura Washington, President & CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. “By redirecting County funds and partnering with Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley in launching the Ulster Food Access Fund, we can quickly connect resources to food pantries on the front lines that are helping families weather this period of uncertainty.”
Please note that SNAP benefits cannot be issued for November unless the shutdown ends or other federal action provides necessary funding. SNAP households will be notified by November 1 on the status of their benefits. Updates will be posted on the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website, myBenefits, the ebtEDGE app, and through text messages to SNAP households. The Ulster County SNAP page will be updated as new information is made available: https://www.ulstercountyny.gov/Departments/Social-Services/Divisions/SNAP
For more information on how to support local food access efforts, visit tinyurl.com/UlsterFoodAccessFund