Official Site of The State of New Jersey

There are several ways to get food assistance in New Jersey.

• For immediate needs, visit a food pantry or soup kitchen near you (see below for more details).
• For longer term needs, you can apply for food assistance through SNAP and/or WIC.

See below for more information about individual food programs and additional resources like food banks and home-delivered meals.

 

Get Help Now

If you need food quickly, food pantries and soup kitchens are good options.

To find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you, call 211, visit NJ211.org, or text your zip code to 898-211.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - There are six Emergency Feeding Organizations working with the Pantries, Community Kitchens and Shelters serving NJ’s Food Insecure residents. They offer USDA and State foods and provide support to families and individuals participating in other programs.
 
Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, & Union Counties
Community Food Bank
908-355-3663
https://cfbnj.org/
 
Atlantic, Cape May & Cumberland Counties
Community Food Bank Southern Branch
609-383-8843
https://cfbnj.org/
 
Burlington, Camden, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Food Bank of South Jersey
856-662-4884
https://foodbanksj.org/
 
Mercer County
Mercer Street Friends Food Bank
609-406-0503 w
https://mercerstreetfriends.org/
 
Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Fulfill
732-918-2600
https://fulfillnj.org/
 
Hunterdon, Sussex & Warren Counties
NORWESCAP
908-454-4322
https://norwescap.org/
 
Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Southern Regional Food Distribution Center
856-327-3145
https://ruraldevelopmentcorp.org/food-bank-vineland-nj/

 

 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides assistance to low-income families to help buy groceries. Eligibility is based on several factors like income.

Learn more and apply online at www.NJSNAP.gov. To apply in person, visit your County Social Service Agency.   You can also visit the NJHelps website to assess your eligibility for SNAP and other helpful programs.

For help applying, contact a SNAP Navigator in your county.

 

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC is a public health nutrition program for women who are pregnant, recently had a child, or are breastfeeding, as well as children under five. WIC includes vouchers for foods on the Approved Food List, including milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and vegetables at both stores and farmers' markets. WIC also provides nutrition and breastfeeding education, health screenings, and referrals to other social services if needed.

To apply, make an appointment at a local WIC agency in your county.

At the appointment, you will need to ensure that all applicants in the family, including children, are present and have materials including proof of identity, pregnancy, income, and residency. You may also need to provide a health care referral form completed by your healthcare provider, your children's Universal Child Health Record, as well as your children's vaccination records.

Note: A household may be eligible for both SNAP and WIC.

 

 

Group Meals

Your local Area Agencies on Aging provides at least one hot nutritious meal per day, five or more days per week. The program is available to all persons 60 or over and their spouses. Reservations are often required 24 hours in advance.

To find group meals near you, contact your local Area Agencies on Aging.

 

Home Delivered Meals

Seniors unable to prepare their meals and who have no family member, friend, neighbor or caregiver should contact their local Area Agencies on Aging to get meals delivered to their homes.

The program is available to adults 60 and older, and a meal may also be provided to your spouse. There is no income limit for these programs, but a formal needs assessment will be conducted and financial need may be used to prioritize enrollment.

 

Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Low-income seniors can receive a $30 EBT card to purchase fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey through participating farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. For more information, contact your local Area Agencies on Aging.