Food and Funding Resources for
NYC Emergency Food Programs
eligibility GuidelinesTo be eligiblefor funding through any of the following agencies/programs you must meet the following minimum requirements. (Additional requirements may be required by individual funding sources.)
Operate a food program located within the five boroughs of New York City;
Have federal 501 (c) (3) status;
Have been in operation for at least six consecutive months;
Provide food free of charge;
Meet NYC Department of Health requirements
Agencies that distribute resources / Application
City Harvest
Rescues and delivers food free of charge to emergency and community food programs in NYC. In addition, City Harvest offers education and technical support to our network of programs.
Contact: Agency Relations: 646-412-0600 / Programs may apply directly to City Harvest at any time during the year.
Food Bank For New York City
Delivers free food to emergency and community food programs in NYC. In addition, the Food Bank offers education and technical support to our network of programs. Funding sources provided include:
- Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
- Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Human Resources Administration (HRA)
The Emergency Food & Nutrition Assistance Programprovides funding and commodities to emergency food programs. The office also providesSNAPand nutrition outreach and offers technical assistance to the emergency food network. Funding provided includes:
- Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)
United Way of New York City
United Way supports emergency food programs with food, operations and equipment funding. Also supports fresh produce initiatives, such as Local Produce Link, a farm to food pantry program, and urban farming projects. Funding sources provided include:
- Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
- Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
Emergency Food Funding / Application
Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)
Funded by the NYC Human Resources Administration's (HRA) Office of Food Programs and Policy Coordination, EFAP provides funding and commodities to the emergency food network in order to improve the nutritional status of low-income New Yorkers.
Contact:929-221-7679 / Programs apply directly to HRA–EFAP at any time during the year.
Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)
The Emergency Food & Shelter Program provides funds to supplement the work of pantries, kitchens and shelters assisting residents of New York City who are facing economic emergency. Emergency rent / mortgage / utilities arrears available through EFSP-funded agencies.
Contact: 212-251-4118 and 212-251-4123 / Agencies apply directly to United Way of New York City-EFSP.
Applications are available online at a year (exact timeframe varies year by year).
Hunger Prevention & Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
Funded by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Division of Nutrition, the United Way of New York City and Food Bank For New York City support emergency food providers with food, operations and equipment funding through the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP).
Contact: HPNAP– United Way of New York City: 212-251-2419 or
HPNAP – Food Bank For New York City: 212-566-7855 / Agencies apply online through The annual online HPNAP application is available in April.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income needy persons, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance through the emergency food program network.
Contact: Food Bank For New York City,Agency Relations, 212-566-7855 / Food Bank sends contract letters to programs by Aug. 31. Program must return completed contracts to the Food Bank by Sept. 30 of the calendar year.