Press Releases

A new study shows a 58% increase in people who are food-insecure on Long Island and a 62% increase in the number of food-insecure children — LONG ISLAND, NY — May 23, 2024 — Responding to Feeding America’s recent annual Map the Meal Gap study showing a sharp jump in food insecurity on Long Island, Island Harvest Food Bank and Long Island Cares — The Harry Chapin Food Bank, the region’s largest hunger-relief organizations have issued a joint press release concerning the report’s findings. The 2022 Map the Meal Gap report for Long Island estimates that 221,190 people on […]

Food Bank showcases crops adapted for LI’s culturally diverse population and previews its regenerative approach to farming. Also, presents newly planted fruit trees/bushes donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph. BRENTWOOD, NY — June 10, 2024 — Adapting to the nutritional and cultural needs of Long Island’s population shift among people who are food insecure, Island Harvest Food Bank recently previewed a host of new crops of diverse produce it is growing at its 1.8-acre Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood, NY, part of a 212-acre parcel owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph, a Catholic religious order. Among the […]

Feeding America® study estimates 44,780 children in Nassau and Suffolk counties were food insecure in 2022 LONG ISLAND, NY — June 28, 2024 — The recent Map the Meal Gap report for Long Island issued by Feeding America® paints a stark picture — an estimated 44,780 children in Nassau and Suffolk counties were food insecure in 2022. This is a pressing issue that cannot be ignored. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that food insecurity affected 12.8 percent of households with children in 2022. Many Long Island school-aged children rely on their schools’ free breakfast and lunch programs, […]

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads was joined by Bethpage Girl Scouts from Troop 3000 and Troop 3252 at the ShopRite in Bethpage for his 2nd Annual Freedom Food Drive in partnership with Island Harvest to kick-off the 4th of July weekend. Their collective efforts at the food drive resulted in a remarkable achievement, amassing enough food to replenish the shelves of St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry. This generous outpouring of support will directly benefit local residents facing food insecurity, enabling the pantry to provide over 350 meals to those in need within the community. Senator Rhoads expressed […]

MELVILLE, NY — July 22, 2024 — Seeing perfectly good food wasted while women in a nearby shelter struggled to find enough to eat, Linda Breitstone was deeply moved. This personal connection to the issue spurred her into action. Armed with determination, a station wagon, and a few coolers, the Rockville Centre resident began her mission. She discovered that many food establishments were discarding excess food at the end of the day and found many more people in need of it. This led to the establishment of Island Harvest Food Bank in 1992. Breitstone, a longtime resident of the […]

MELVILLE, NY — August 13, 2024 — Brian R. Leidy, a resident of Laurel Hollow, NY, has joined Island Harvest Food Bank as its Chief Development Officer, according to an announcement by Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of the Melville, NY-based hunger relief and human services organization. Mr. Leidy has more than 27 years of experience in development, including at the SCO Family of Services, Brooklyn Public Library, China Institute, and Good Shepherd Hospital. In his role at Island Harvest, he will be responsible for the food bank’s efforts in engaging and cultivating philanthropic relationships and directing fundraising […]

Food collected locally will benefit Island Harvest Food Bank to help meet the demand to help Long Islanders struggling to put food on their tables due to the high cost of groceries, economic uncertainty —  LONG ISLAND, NY — April 24, 2025 — Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are once again in a united front for the annual Stamp Out Hunger® food drive, the nation’s most extensive single-day food collection campaign onSaturday, May 10, 2025, According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO of Island Harvest, the need […]

New study shows a 10% increase in people who are food-insecure in Nassau & Suffolk counties LONG ISLAND, NY — May 14, 2025 — Feeding America®, the nation’s leading hunger relief organization, has just released its annual Map the Meal Gap study, revealing a staggering 10% surge in the number of people grappling with food insecurity in Nassau and Suffolk counties in 2023. “This is an urgent call to action that demands immediate attention from our representatives in the federal government,” stated Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank, the region’s leading hunger relief and human […]