Irin Rahman, New York — New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced Thursday that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive 40% more in Health Bucks incentives for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and farm stands beginning January 2027. The daily maximum benefit under the Health Bucks program will increase from $10 to $14. The program provides $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent on fresh produce at participating markets across New York City.

The Mamdani administration expects to distribute nearly $2.3 million in Health Bucks to SNAP recipients in 2027. The increase is intended to help families afford nutritious food while supporting local farmers and market vendors.

“Every day, New Yorkers walk into a store hoping prices haven’t gone up again,” Mamdani said. He noted that rising food insecurity is forcing too many families to go without fruits and vegetables.

The mayor said the expanded program would make fresh produce more affordable for SNAP recipients while supporting local markets and farm stands that provide nutritious food to their communities.

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga said fresh fruits and vegetables should fit within every family’s budget. She added that rising costs and food insecurity have made it increasingly difficult for many New Yorkers to access healthy food.

NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said raising the daily Health Bucks limit to $14 would increase the purchasing power of SNAP recipients while supporting local farmers. He also highlighted the connection between diet and chronic diseases, including heart disease.

According to new research from the NYC Health Department, nearly eight in 10 adults at risk of food insecurity reported difficulty affording balanced meals. Eighteen percent had not eaten any fruits or vegetables the previous day, and nearly one-third had received food from emergency assistance services, including food pantries.

The Health Bucks program is funded through city resources and $5.7 million in new grant funding from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, which supports initiatives encouraging SNAP recipients to purchase more fruits and vegetables.

In addition to matching spending at farmers markets and farm stands, the Health Department distributes Health Bucks through community and faith-based organizations. Residents may also receive the incentives for participating in nutrition education and other health-related activities.

The announcement is part of the Mamdani administration’s broader effort to make healthy, high-quality food more affordable and accessible throughout New York City. Earlier this year, Mamdani announced La Marqueta in East Harlem as the first identified location for the city’s municipal grocery store initiative. The administration plans to open one city-operated grocery store in each of the five boroughs by the end of the mayor’s first term.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Health Bucks SNAP incentive program. Since 2005, the NYC Health Department has distributed more than $20 million in Health Bucks.

Irin, Rahman,  New York – Uncertainty surrounding the Bangladesh Society election has deepened after the court directed both parties to submit their respective arguments and supporting evidence on December 17. The hearing scheduled for November 5 will not take place as planned. The court is expected to review the submissions before making its next decision, raising doubts about whether a final ruling on the election dispute will come before the end of the year.

Osman Chowdhury shared the latest development on Tuesday evening, citing Tamara Harris, the attorney representing the plaintiff. The Bangladesh Society election was scheduled for October 25. However, the court issued a stay on the election following a lawsuit involving the cancellation of Chowdhury’s membership and allegations of other irregularities. The Election Commission had completed preparations at five polling stations, but voting could not proceed.

The postponement has disappointed members of the Bangladeshi American community, particularly because more than 35,000 voters were expected to participate. The delay has also raised concerns about the financial costs associated with election preparations.

Chowdhury has challenged the decision to revoke his membership after it had initially been granted. According to his side, restoring his membership and recognizing his eligibility to contest for the presidency are central issues in the case. His side has also stated that the Bangladesh Society should bear the legal expenses incurred in the dispute.

Bangladesh Society President Ataur Rahman Selim offered a different account. Speaking on Tuesday evening, October 27, he said the society’s attorney was monitoring the case. Selim alleged that Chowdhury was involved in a conspiracy against the organization and claimed that a court directive supported the decision not to grant him membership. The competing claims remain disputed, and the court’s review of the evidence is expected to be important in determining the outcome.

The dispute has also raised questions about provisions in the society’s bylaws that allegedly restrict members from challenging executive committee decisions in court. The legal status and implications of these provisions remain matters requiring careful examination of the relevant court records.

Both sides are expected to submit their arguments and supporting documents on December 17. The court’s subsequent decision will be a key factor in determining when the Bangladesh Society election can proceed. Until then, the election remains on hold, leaving the organization and its members awaiting further developments.

Irin Rahman, New York – Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi has expressed interest in reviving and rebuilding the inactive Bangladesh Caucus in the U.S. Congress following the November 3 midterm elections. He has indicated his willingness to help reactivate the congressional group and take on a leadership role to advance the interests of Bangladesh and Bangladeshi Americans.

Suozzi shared his intentions while speaking with prominent members of the Bangladeshi and South Asian communities during a Diwali celebration at the Hindu Temple Society auditorium in Flushing on Monday evening, October 26.

Representing New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Long Island and Queens, Suozzi serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees key areas of tax policy, trade and Social Security. He is also associated with the House Select Committee on China.

Known for his centrist political approach, Suozzi advocates bipartisan cooperation and practical solutions rather than ideological confrontation. He also serves as a Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House of Representatives.

Community representatives hope that his involvement could help bring renewed attention to issues affecting Bangladeshi Americans and strengthen their representation in Washington.

Among those attending the event were former State Minister Enamul Haque Shamim, former parliamentary whip Nazrul Islam Babu, National Press Club President and former lawmaker Farida Yasmin, journalist and editor Naim Nizam, Queens Democratic Party District Leader Dr. Dilip Nath, New American Voters Association President Dipa Nath, Dr. Pradip Kar, founder of Genocide ’71, Shaktigupta, associated with the New York Police Department, Bijoy Sarkar, a founding member of the U.S. chapter of Oikya Parishad, and Shyamal Chakraborty, a leader of United Hindus.

Republican Congressman Benjamin Gilman was the founding chairman of the congressional Bangladesh Caucus. Following his death, Democratic Congressman Joseph Crowley assumed a leadership role in the caucus.

Crowley represented New York’s 7th Congressional District from 1999 to 2003 and the 14th District from 2003 to 2019. His district included several communities with significant Bangladeshi American populations. After Crowley lost the 2018 Democratic primary to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the caucus became increasingly inactive, according to community observers.

Against this backdrop, Suozzi’s expressed interest in helping revive the Bangladesh Caucus has generated renewed optimism among Bangladeshi Americans in New York. A revitalized caucus could provide an important platform for raising community concerns, strengthening engagement with U.S. lawmakers and promoting closer ties between the United States and Bangladesh. However, Suozzi’s formal appointment as chair and the proposed reorganization have yet to be officially confirmed.

PENNSYLVANIA — The Companyganj Welfare Society of Pennsylvania USA Inc. has announced its new committee for the 2027–2029 term, with Ibrahim Khalil Chowdhury Rakib elected president and Sharafat Ullah Sohag named general secretary. The Election Commission announced the names of the newly elected committee members on Tuesday, October 27, at the organization’s office at 62 Richfield Road, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Sakhawat Hossain Tipu was elected senior vice president, while Md. Sahid Kamal Sabuj was named vice president. Other elected office-bearers include Noor Karim Rony as joint general secretary, Noor Hossain Ershad as organizing secretary, Mohammad Yusuf Nabi as treasurer, Shahab Uddin as assistant treasurer, Zahirul Alam Nayan as publicity secretary, Mohammed Arifur Rahman Tarek as office secretary, Mainur Rahman Jony as social welfare secretary, and Belal Hossain Ratan as sports secretary.

The executive members are Iqbal Chowdhury Ripon, Yusuf Nabi, Saleh Uddin, Ariful Haque Rony, and Nurul Afsar Rajib. Ibrahim Khalil Chowdhury Rakib, the newly elected president, is the son of Mahfuzul Haque Chowdhury, a former chairman of Musapur Union in Companyganj and a veteran political figure.

Community members hope the new committee, under Rakib’s leadership, will strengthen unity, harmony, and mutual cooperation among Companyganj expatriates in the United States. They also expect the organization to expand its activities and play a greater role in promoting the welfare of the expatriate community.