Albany County officials announced new funding Monday to help county residents access food.

Included in the 2024 county budget is $175,000 for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and its 40 food pantries and 16 soup kitchens in Albany County, and $75,000 for the United Way of the Greater Capital Region to work with other programs dedicated to fighting hunger.

"No man, woman, or child, or infant should go hungry anywhere in today's society," County Executive Dan McCoy said.

About 10% of the county is food insecure, or lacks consistent access to enough food, and one in seven children are going to school hungry, McCoy said.

He said demand for assistance was up 30% over last year, and the funding will help local groups offer more than 450,000 additional meals.