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.

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The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

There are six Emergency Feeding Organizations working with pantries, community kitchens, and shelters serving New Jersey's food-insecure residents. They offer nutritional foods and provide support to families and individuals participating in other programs. Information on these programs can be found below:
 
Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, & Union Counties
Community Food Bank
1-908-355-3663
https://cfbnj.org/
 
Atlantic, Cape May & Cumberland Counties
Community Food Bank Southern Branch
1-609-383-8843
https://cfbnj.org/
 
Burlington, Camden, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Food Bank of South Jersey
1-856-662-4884
https://foodbanksj.org/
 
Mercer County
Mercer Street Friends Food Bank
1-609-406-0503
https://mercerstreetfriends.org/
 
Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Fulfill
1-732-918-2600
https://fulfillnj.org/
 
Hunterdon, Sussex & Warren Counties
NORWESCAP
1-908-454-4322
https://norwescap.org/
 

Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Middlesex, Passaic & Salem Counties
Southern Regional Food Distribution Center

1-856-327-3145

https://cumberlandfamilyshelter.com/food-distribution/

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Monthly benefits to help pay for groceries.

The Basics

The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income individuals and families buy groceries. Eligibility is based on several factors, including income, and is updated each October.

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for NJ SNAP if you:

• Have an income based on current NJ SNAP income limits
• Live in New Jersey

To Apply

You can:

• Apply online at NJSNAP.gov
• Apply in person at your County Social Service Agency
• Check your eligibility using the NJHelps website
• Get help with your application by contacting a SNAP Navigator in your county

Important for adults with a disability:

• If you live with someone else, such as a caregiver, you may still qualify as a one-person household if you purchase and prepare your food separately.
•  If a caregiver is completing your application, they should list themselves as the authorized representative.

When applying with an authorized representative:

• Online application: List the caregiver as the authorized representative in Step 4 of MyNJHelps
• Paper application: Write the caregiver’s information in Question #11

More Information

Visit NJSNAP.gov to learn more about the program, income limits, and benefits.
Use NJHelps to see if you qualify for SNAP and other programs.
For local support, contact your County Social Service Agency or a NJ SNAP Navigator.

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

Food and nutrition benefits for families with young children

The Basics

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a public health nutrition program for:

• Women who are pregnant
• Women who recently had a child
• Women who are breastfeeding
• Infants and children under the age of five

WIC provides:

• Vouchers for approved healthy foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, and vegetables
• Use of benefits at grocery stores and farmers’ markets
• Nutrition and breastfeeding education
• Health screenings
• Referrals to other social services

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for WIC if:

• You are pregnant, recently had a baby, or are breastfeeding, or have a child under the age of five
• You meet WIC income guidelines
• You are at nutritional risk, as determined by a health screening

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

To Apply

To apply for WIC:

1.  Make an appointment at your local WIC agency in your county.
2.  At the appointment, all applicants (including children) must be present.
3.  Bring documents such as: 

• •  Proof of identity
  •  Proof of pregnancy (if applicable)
  •  Proof of income
  •  A referral form completed by your health care provider (if required)
  •  Your child’s Universal Child Health Record 
  •  Your child’s vaccination records

More Information

For more information, contact your local WIC agency or visit the New Jersey WIC website to check eligibility guidelines, find office locations, and learn more about approved foods and benefits.

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Group Meals

Your local Area Agency 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 older and their spouses. Reservations are often required 24 hours in advance.

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

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Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) helps improve the health of low-income seniors age 60 or older by supplementing their diets with nutritious, prepackaged food provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The food packages may vary each month based on USDA availability and typically include items such as canned fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein.

CSFP is administered through local food banks. For more information or to apply, contact your nearest food bank.

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