New York has an estimated 700,000 residents eligible for, but not signed up to receive, food stamps, a lack that costs the city millions in federal aid.
New York participation in the food stamp program dropped during the mayoralty of Rudy Giuliani, mainly, critics say, because he insisted on having applicants finger-printed.
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While there has been a 30 percent increase in participation since Michael Bloomberg became mayor, thousands are still not getting food stamps.
If 500,000 additional eligible people received food stamps, New York grocers would realize $650 million in federal aid.
While many people are skipping applying for food stamps because of the levels of red tape, there has been a big increase in demand at privately run food pantries.