Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)

The New York State Department of Health’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) was established in 1984 to improve the nutritional health status of the State's low-income citizens by reducing hunger, malnutrition, and nutritionally related illness. HPNAP, in partnership with organizations that serve the hungry, is dedicated to improving the health and nutritional status of people in need of food assistance by:

• Providing funding and other support to enhance the accessibility and availability of safe and nutritious food and food related resources;
• Developing and providing comprehensive nutrition education programs;
• Monitoring and assessing customer needs and hunger-related issues to strengthen the program effectiveness; 
• Empowering people to increase their independence from food assistance programs.

ELIGIBILITY  
To be eligible to apply for HPNAP Food and/or Operations Support (OS) funds, an Emergency Food Program (EFP) must have been providing emergency food service for at least six (6) months at the time of application. An EFP must comply with the following eligibility criteria and be able to provide documentation of:

1. Not-for-profit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
2. Possession of a Federal Tax Identification Number documented through a copy of US Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service correspondence indicating the organization's Federal Tax Identification Number;
3. Current tax exemption status;
4. Proper food service permit, if offering ready-to-eat (prepared) meals;
5. Provide emergency food services to all persons regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or marital status; and
6. Provide food free of charge or obligation to all people at all times who present themselves as in need