OUR VISION

• Demand Clean Air – End the decade’s long injustices that have led to the Bronx having the highest asthma rate in the nation by enclosing I-95, the most significant source of air contamination in the borough. We must also increase enforcement of NYC’s anti-idling laws, support the transition from heating oils to cleaner heat sources, and support efforts to mitigate traffic and reduce emissions from trucks by piloting alternative policies for residential and commercial deliveries; including off-peak hour incentives, green loading zones, and neighborhood distribution centers.

• Food is a Human Right - Food has the power to connect us to the cultures of our past and present, to our neighbors, our communities, and our earth. In the Bronx, everyone should have equitable access to healthy food; every community should have greater control over their food options. Every person should have enough nutritious food to live a healthy life, and every neighborhood should have food businesses that reflect that community’s cultures and diversity. Communities like CD18, have long been on the front lines combatting an unjust food system that harms the environment, negatively affects human health and contributes to economic inequality.

  • Amanda is committed to:

    • Update Food Metrics Report (Local Law 52 of 2011): Enhancing Food Metrics reporting can include updating and creating new indicators and data sources to better identify and serve communities like District 18.

    • Continue to Support Emergency Food Providers: Fighting to provide continued support for food pantries and soup kitchens across the city is critical in addressing food insecurity for communities.

    • Advocate for Expanded Use of SNAP: Working with our allies in New York State to pass legislation to allow disabled, elderly, and homeless SNAP recipients to use their benefits for hot meals and other prepared foods at participating grocery stores, delis, and restaurants.

    • Create Food Pantries in Senior Centers: The City should fund a pilot program to create small food pantries at select senior centers to address food insecurity for seniors who cannot access the city’s network of emergency food pantries.

    • Breakfast in the Classroom: The Mayoral Administration’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget originally included reduced funding for Breakfast in the Classroom by $6 million. However, due to City Council and stakeholder advocacy, the adopted budget ultimately restored the proposed cut to this vital program.

    • Summer Companion Meals: The City Council will work with the Mayoral Administration to launch a pilot program to offer summer companion meals to the Summer Meals Program. Unfortunately, post-COVID food access has shown us that families are food insecure too. Parents and guardians accompanying children to access the Summer Meals Program cannot currently receive a free lunch due to funding eligibility constraints.

• Expanded Electronics Benefits Transfer (EBT) for All

  On behalf of EBT card holders, Amanda would advocate for:

  • An increase in monthly benefits

  • Maintaining the Health Bucks program to incentivize the purchase of healthy foods by EBT cardholders

  • Clothing discounts for children at local partnering retail outlets

  • Free entry for EBT card holders and up to 3 family members at cultural institutions  (a maximum of $3 per EBT card holder at private cultural institutions)

  I’m committed to working with State legislators to fight for more income to the EBT/ SNAP card per month for families.