The Peru Gazette

Albany, June 11, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that funding is available from the new $10 million New York Providing Local Access to Essential Sustenance (NY PLATES) capital grant program. Governor Hochul secured this funding in the FY 2026-27 Enacted Budget to support food banks and other organizations that provide emergency food assistance in building the modern facilities, equipment, and infrastructure needed to serve more families across the state. NY PLATES will offer competitive capital grants to eligible Food Banks, Emergency Food Programs, and municipalities providing food relief services within New York’s 10 regional food bank territories. Eligible uses include capital costs related to, but not limited to, the design, construction or renovation of eligible program locations as well as for the purchase of equipment such as cold storage, freezers, and food transport vehicles. These investments will increase the capacity of critical food assistance organizations and enable them to safely store, transport, and distribute food to more New Yorkers in need.

“Food banks and pantries across New York are working around the clock to make sure no family goes hungry, and they deserve the facilities and equipment to do that work effectively,” Governor Hochul said. “With NY PLATES, we are making a direct investment in the infrastructure of hunger relief – expanding capacity, modernizing operations, and standing up for New Yorkers at a time when the federal government is turning its back on critical nutrition programs. This funding will help ensure that no community is left behind.”

As part of Governor Hochul’s FY 2026-2027 Enacted Budget and State of the State proposals, NY PLATES provides capital grant funding to design, construct, or reconstruct facilities, make major renovations and infrastructure improvements, and purchase essential equipment such as refrigeration units and food transport vehicles. The Request for Applications (RFA) for NY PLATES has been posted at dasny.org.

The application period for the NY PLATES capital grant program will open on July 8, 2026, and applications must be submitted by August 20, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced no earlier than October 20, 2026. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of project need, impact, and viability. Not-for-profit entities must receive approved prequalification status in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) prior to the submission of their application and must remain prequalified through the execution of the Grant Disbursement Agreement and payment of all requisitions.