According to a January 3, 2024 article by the New York State Department of Health, State Health Department Releases Report On Food Insecurity Among Adults, Herkimer County has the highest percentage of adults who experience food insecurity (outside of New York City) at 28.8 percent.
According to the article, adults experiencing food insecurity have a higher probability of several chronic diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, asthma, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease.
The NY State Health Department administers several programs that support increasing food and nutrition security across the State:
The Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and The Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Local resources for Herkimer County include:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education
- Services and Program at Catholic Charities
- 211 MidYorkÂ
- Herkimer County Public Health
