If you live in New York, and need free food now, food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens are a great place to start. This post will provide a list of food pantries in New York, including those in New York City and Upstate New York – plus addresses and phone numbers.
We have also provided details below on how to get Expedited Food Stamps for your household if you need food now.
Plus, if you already get food stamps, you may be able to use your benefits at restaurants, including fast food restaurants if you qualify.
See below for details on the recently launched New York Restaurant Meals Program for SNAP benefits.
Click on the link below for a list of food pantries closest to you.
New York City Food Pantries
Here are links to the list of food pantries in New York City by Borough.
Upstate New York Food Pantries
Here are links to the list of food pantries in upstate New York by City.
How to Get Emergency SNAP
You may be eligible for expedited SNAP if you meet one of the following:
- Your household has $100 or less in liquid resources and less than $150 in gross monthly income.
- You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker household with $100 or less in liquid resources and you have not received any income since you applied for SNAP, or
- Your household’s monthly income and liquid resources together are less than the total of your monthly rent or mortgage and heating costs and utilities (electricity, telephone, and water).
How soon can I get Emergency SNAP?
Which restaurants take EBT in New York?
The Restaurant Meals Program is a federal program that enables qualified elderly, disabled, and homeless food stamps recipients to buy food at authorized restaurants. Any state or county can enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program.
The purpose of the program is to help expand food access to those who do not have a place to store and cook food, who may not be able to prepare food, or who don’t have access to a grocery store.
In May 2021, the New York State Assembly passed a bill that would establish a statewide Restaurant Meals Program as part of the SNAP program.
New York, therefore, joins California, Maryland, Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, and Rhode Island that have robust RMP programs.
When will New Yorkers be able to use EBT at Restaurants?
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will be in charge of running the program.
They will provide a timeline on when the program will be launched.
We will update this article with updates on when New Yorkers with SNAP EBT cards will be able to use their benefits at restaurants.
Food Pantries in New York Summary
We hope this post on Food Pantries in New York was helpful to you!
If you have more questions about your New York EBT or SNAP Benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
For more help on what and where you can use your New York EBT Card, check out our other articles here: