MIDDLETOWN, N.Y.—The Regional Food Bank, a not-for-profit organization that distributes donated and bought food in 23 counties in Northeastern New York, said on July 28 that about 350,000 people in the counties it serves are food insecure, representing about 12 percent of the population.
The food bank, which works with more than 1,000 charitable organizations to provide food to some of these people every month, held a conference on Tuesday at the A.M.E. Zion Church of Newburgh, a historically black church. Speakers included Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), who voiced support for the organization’s agenda against hunger.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecurity can involve situations where people experience reduced quality and variety of food in one’s diet, as well as disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. Food insecurity may or may not involve hunger….