New York Consolidated Laws, Social Services Law - SOS § 465-d. Criteria for high risk areas

1. fifty percent or more of those potentially eligible are not participating in the food stamp program or where a significant number of the population potentially eligible, particularly the working poor and the elderly, are not participating;

2. twenty-five percent or more of children are eligible for free or reduced price meals within the school lunch program;

3. infant mortality or morbidity rates;

4. economic indicators including, but not limited to, the unemployment rate, prevailing wages, and recent loss of job base;

5. high concentration of at risk populations;  and

6. unavailability of food assistance programs in the area because of lack of provider participation or knowledge about the existence of such programs.