Food Access

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (aka "foodstamps") helps families and individuals supplement the cost of their diet with nutritious foods.

For emergencies and expedited processing, apply directly with DSS/HRA online with ACCESS HRA or through one of the sites found on the OCS Public Benefits Resource Map.

For non-emergency situations, find your local Single Stop for SNAP application assistance and support. Hunger Free America also has virtual guides and a Benefits Access team that can directly support the SNAP application process.

There are roughly 500 food pantries and community kitchens throughout New York City where anyone can get nutritious food or a well-balanced hot meal.

Find a location in three ways:

1. Locations nearest to your school are on the map below.

2. Find additional pantries and kitchens at FoodHelp NYC, Food Bank NYC, or a neighborhood guide from Hunger Free America.

3. Call NYC's Emergency FoodLine at 1-866-888-8777.

Schools can partner with organizations to bring bags of fresh food to their families.

Families sign up for weekly or monthly bags, depending on the school's preference.

Please note that these bags do cost money. Prices vary by organization, with most having discounts for EBT (SNAP).

For more information on La Canasta and Corbin Hill Food Project - two partners working with our office, click here.