New York State Initiatives & Resources
Pro Bono Legal Services to Eligible Food, Beverage, and Agricultural Businesses. The Pace-NRDC Food Law Initiative has launched the COVID-19 Legal Support Project which aims to assist eligible New York State farmers and food, beverage, and agricultural businesses (income criteria must be met in order to be eligible). Pro bono legal services will be provided to help these businesses navigate through the current crisis. Additional details can be found here.
Resources for Nonprofits and Community-Based Organizations. NYS Health Foundation has compiled a list of useful links for nonprofits and community-based organizations in New York State and beyond pertaining to topics such as workers’ rights, food assistance, health care services, and housing.
Crosscutting and National-level Initiatives & Resources
How School Districts are Feeding Students. The Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy is maintaining a comprehensive tracker of how school districts across the country are providing meals during school closures. Information includes details regarding size of district, number of pickup sites, dates/times meals are available, and eligibility criteria.
Child Nutrition Program Resources. No Kid Hungry has created a variety of resources to help individuals involved in overseeing/operating child nutrition programs during the pandemic to ensure their programs are running safely and effectively. Find the resources here.
COVID-19 Food Access Municipal Policy Index. Healthy Food Policy Project has compiled a list of municipal policies that “that accelerate, prioritize or facilitate food access during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergency periods through measures that exceed ordinary non-emergency-time policies and/or specifically prioritize health and/or equity considerations.”
COVID-19 State Bills Index. The School Nutrition Association website contains an interactive map where users can search each state’s COVID-19 legislation. Bills are categorized by issue area (education, emergency health policies, workers compensation, etc.), and links are provided to read the actual bill in its entirety. View the map here.
Feeding America Fact Sheets. Feeding America has created simple, easy to read, one-page fact sheets on topics such as preventing the spread of COVID-19 and stocking a healthy pantry. Some of these are available in a variety of different languages. View them here.
Local Producer Resources. The National Young Farmers Coalition has developed a variety of resources to help farmers during this challenging time. Resources include state-by-state guidance for farmers, a guide to direct sales platforms, links to partner organizations, and a variety of webinars.
Response of Grocery Chains to COVID-19. Grocery Dive is tracking how regional and national grocery chains (currently 40 in total) are adapting in response to COVID-19. Policies around store hours, employee benefits, and operational changes are covered.
