NYC offers both immediate and long-term services if you need food. Children can get free food at school. Public benefits are available for families.
What help can I get?
If you need food immediately, find out where to pick up free meals across the city by texting ”FOOD” or ”COMIDA” to 877-877. You can also use the Get Food NYC map to locate a variety of free food locations across the five boroughs. Or request an emergency food delivery.
If you need ongoing food help, use Access NYC to find out what benefits you’re eligible for. “Food stamps” or SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides money for food.
If you or your child needs free food at school, see SchoolFood, Summer Meals, and After School and Saturday Meals. Some schools offer breakfast, lunch, and meals outside of school hours.
If you’re looking for healthy food, most farmers’ markets accept SNAP or EBT. All farmers’ markets accept Health Bucks coupons. Visit NYC311 for more information. To find which farmers’ markets take EBT, visit the NYC Health Map and select “farmers’ markets” from the menu.
How do I get started?
- Go to Access NYC and fill out a short online survey. The survey results will let you know what City benefits you’re eligible for, including some of the ones listed here. Follow the instructions on the result page to apply for benefits. You can also email your results to City staff at your child’s school or your shelter for help.
- Speak to City staff who can help. In schools, there may be an STH Community Coordinator or STH School-Based Liaison who can answer questions. If your child’s school doesn’t have those roles, reach out to the school’s regional manager. In a shelter, speak with a social worker, case manager, or family assistant.
- Gather your documents. You may need certain documents to apply for services. Common ones include proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of income. Don’t let missing documents keep you from applying. City staff can help you replace missing documents.
Undocumented immigrants can access many city services, regardless of their status. City employees will not ask about immigration status unless it is necessary to do their jobs. They must keep information about immigration status confidential.
What benefits and programs does NYC offer?
Click an entry to learn more.
Cash help to buy food for infants
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
Food | NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH)
WIC helps low-income women and their children buy food. You’ll get an eWIC card for buying food. You’ll also get access to services like nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and referrals to other programs.
Farmer’s market coupons
Health Bucks
Food | NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
If you get SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, you can get extra money for fresh fruits and vegetables. Every time you spend $2 of your SNAP benefits at a (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/cdp/nyc-farmers-markets.pdf) farmers market in New York City , you will get a $2 coupon that you can spend on fruits and vegetables.
Food from pantries and community kitchens
Community Food Connection
Food | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
There are ways to get free food quickly – get groceries from a food pantry, or a cooked meal from a community kitchen. Use the Food Help NYC (https://foodhelp.nyc.gov/) map or call 311 to find your closest food pantry and community kitchen.
Free school breakfast and lunch
School Food
Food | NYC Department of Education (DOE)
Students in every New York City public school can get free breakfast and lunch. Delicious, nutritious, and culturally relevant meals are available to students each day.
Free summer meals for everyone 18 and under
Summer Meals
Food | NYC Department of Education
The Free Summer Meals program provides free breakfast and lunch at schools, parks, pools, libraries, and food trucks in all five boroughs. Find a free breakfast and lunch location near you (https://www.opt-osfns.org/schoolfoodny/meals/default.aspx) .
Healthy food packages for older adults
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Food | NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH)
Adults ages 60 or older are eligible for monthly food packages if they earn below a certain income.
Meals outside of school hours
After School and Saturday Meals
Food | NYC Department of Education (DOE)
Some schools give free meals to students in the evening and on Saturdays. Through this program, children in After School and Saturday programs can get the nutrition they need.
Money to buy food
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Food | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
Get help paying for groceries with SNAP, previously known as food stamps. You’ll get money on a debit card that can be used at many grocery stores and farmers markets.
