For Immediate Release:

March 13, 2009

State Assemblyman Rory Lancman Leads Affordable Food Summit in Response to Soaring Unemployment in Queens

Assemblyman Lancman leads a summit on affordable food in Queens. From left to right: Stop & Shop Consumer Advisor Andrea Astrachan, Assemblyman Lancman and Lisa Altshuler, Director of the Kids Weight Down Program at Maimonides Medical Center.

State Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman chaired a summit to examine how Queens residents are coping with the high cost of food as unemployment soars across the borough.

“Despite the rise in unemployment, food in New York is not any cheaper. In this difficult economy, it is critical that families have the information they need to make good decisions and purchase affordable, healthful food to safeguard their family's budget,” said Assemblyman Lancman.

Assemblyman Lancman chaired the summit at a time when unemployment is at its highest in more than 25 years. The New York State Department of Labor reports that  more than 290,000 New York City residents were unemployed in January, an increase of more than 80,000  since  January of 2008. In Queens 74,000 residents were unemployed in January, an increase of  more than 21,000 since January of 2008.

Assemblyman Lancman was joined by:

Erika Ichinose Pijai, MS, RD, CDN, Queens Coordinator for Nutrition & Health Programs for the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, who advised consumers on how to stretch their budget and shop smarter.

Lisa Altshuler, PhD, Director of the Kids Weight Down Program at Maimonides Medical Center, who offered advice on how to  make sure that in a time of economic stress a family’s commitment to nutrition does not take a backseat to budgetary issues.

Warren Hecht, President of the Queens Jewish Community Council, which operates one of the borough’s major food pantries. He discussed the increased demands facing the pantry and the shortages that they are encountering.

Andrea Astrachan, Stop & Shop’s Consumer Advisor, detailed how Stop & Shop is assisting consumers during these times, how best to navigate a supermarket on a fixed or reduced budget, how to protect your nutritional values when shopping and how to spot deals, value and bargains.

Lancman and the panel of experts will explored options for consumers at the Union Turnpike Stop & Shop Supermarket.