Foodlink says there is an increasingly overwhelming need for food in New York compared to previous years. The organization says, according to this year's Map the Meal Gap report, it's seeing a 40% increase in the need for emergency food.

Issued by Feeding America, the 15th annual report shows more than 160,000 people in 10 counties from Allegany to Wayne experienced food insecurity in 2023.

At 12.8%, that's the highest food insecurity rate in a decade.

"We have budgeted for our coming year more dollars for emergency food than ever before," said Julia Tedesco, president and CEO of Foodlink. "It's very hard to keep up with the demand. And if SNAP benefits are cut at the federal level, there is no way the private sector food banks can make up that gap."

Foodlink says the increase means they are now seeing about 1.8 million visits from people in need per year.