Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Security Snap Heap topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chautauqua County legislators ask staff to study Feedmore-style contract as SNAP, HEAP distributions stall
Summary
At an emergency Nov. 5 meeting, Chautauqua County legislators heard county officials outline limits on replacing federal SNAP and HEAP benefits, were briefed on local emergency measures, and asked staff to evaluate a voucher/contract model proposed by a local pantry volunteer to ensure accountability for county support.
Chautauqua County legislators met in an emergency session on Nov. 5, 2025, to review disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and federally funded heating assistance after a federal funding lapse and to consider local responses. County officials described daily coordination with the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and said the county cannot legally or financially cover full lost SNAP benefits.
The meeting focused on immediate needs and contingency options. "I'm requesting that 2 initiatives be approved by this legislature," volunteer Connie Griffith told the body, urging short-term releases of unallocated county funds to pantries and a contract model like Erie County's relationship with Feedmore Western New York to provide vouchers and financial accountability. Carmelo Hernandez, commissioner of mental hygiene and social services, told legislators, "People will get benefits, this month," and described the state's plan to manually adjust benefits and send mass communications once distribution formulas are finalized. John Anderson, deputy commissioner of social services, provided caseload figures: "we have around 22,325 individuals" on SNAP, representing roughly 12,743 cases.
County Attorney Anna Morgan warned of legal limits to county action: counties cannot "grab" federal funds or run the SNAP program themselves, though she said the county can donate money, purchase and donate food, or contract with established nonprofit providers. Staff and agency leaders outlined existing county capacity: the Office for Aging reported 4,367 SNAP recipients over age 60 and said home-delivered meals, congregate dining and preordered emergency boxes could be deployed; DSS described walk-in services and one-time cash-assistance pathways for heating or food emergencies.
Legislators pressed for concrete cost estimates and a simple 'playbook' on program eligibility and county roles. Staff agreed to return with more numbers (finance was asked to provide a county monthly-cost estimate by Friday) and to research the Feedmore-style voucher/contract proposal presented by Griffith. The chair moved that staff evaluate the proposal and report back; the motion was treated as a referral for further study rather than a formal funding appropriation. Several legislators called for routine updates to the human services committee and the full legislature while federal decisions remain uncertain.
Volunteers and pantry operators described frontline conditions. Griffith said FredBasket in Fredonia gave away 270 meals in the first hour of its monthly pantry earlier that day, representing roughly $3,550 in distributed food and underscoring concerns about replenishment and long-term supply. Other public speakers urged proactive outreach to households that may not realize benefits are paused and offered volunteer and technical assistance.
The body did not adopt a county-funded substitute for SNAP or a specific cash appropriation during the meeting. Legislator Larson moved to adjourn at the close of the session; the motion carried by voice vote after members said "Aye." Members instructed staff to prepare cost estimates, legal options for donations or contracting, and a short eligibility-and-services playbook for upcoming committee and legislature meetings.
