Food banks and food pantries in New Jersey.
Free food is given away from a variety of distribution centers in New Jersey and there are also places for a hot meal. Find details on free food banks, meal sites / soup kitchens as well as pantries that provide immediate assistance, often within a day or so. A wide variety of services are available and find a food bank in your area of NJ below, with links and phone numbers below. The locations listed are the major distribution centers, most of which are part of Feeding America. But they also have partnerships with other local non-profits, charities, and even free pet food pantries across the state. In addition to receiving free or low food, groceries, and other items from these locations, many will provide other forms of stuff as well, such as personal hygiene supplies, holiday food baskets and referrals to USDA assistance programs - which can include SNAP food stamps and Meals on Wheels. Many restaurants also offer support, and learn what restaurants accept EBT .
Local countywide New Jersey food banks
Use a county link below to find information on additional free food pantries as well as soup kitchens for your county. They are specific to the city or county, and may have meals, free food, holiday meals and other forms of support. Or scroll down the page for other places for free food in NJ, as a more ranging list is below as well.
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Essex County
including Newark
Gloucester County
Hudson County
including Jersey City
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
as well as Paterson
Somerset County
Union County
Regional free food box distribution centers in NJ
Fulfill - Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties is at 3300 State Route 66, Neptune NJ, 07753. This is a Feeding America partner of Monmouth and Ocean County. Get free Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats and more may be offered. Seasonal and special food assistance programs can include free baby formula, snacks for students, and special dietary meals. Or apply for the Summer Feeding Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and free Meals on Wheels for seniors or the disabled. Call (732) 918-2600
Community Food Bank of New Jersey
has a main office at 6735 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township New Jersey, 08234. Call (609) 383-8843. This location does not generally serve the public, however they work with regional pantries in New Jersey. Hundreds of soup kitchens, feeding sites, and food banks work with the non-profit organization. The counties supported include Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. The location also operated other Feeding America programs in NJ. There are Nutrition Education, free Cooking Classes and a baby pantry, which has free infant formula, dupers and other supplies for low-income parents as well as single mothers. Another location is at 31 Evans Terminal Rd, Hillside New Jersey, 07205. Dial (908) 355-3663 for referrals. Similar to the location listed above in that it partners with other charities. A leading food pantry in the region. Fresh foods, canned goods, and other aid is offered. For example, get help in applying for government aid such as food stamps or WIC.
Food Bank of South New Jersey
covers southern NJ. The location is 1501 John Tipton Blvd., Pennsauken NJ, 08110. Call (856) 662-4884. As the name implies, supports the low income, homeless, and hungry in the southern part of the state. May have information on other resources too, such as free summer meals and snacks for students or Meals on Wheels type programs for the homebound. The Feeding America distribution center is for people with no money or on a low income in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties. There are free drive thru food banks with partners that are open today. Or get holiday food baskets or more wide ranging benefits, such as USDA Farm 2 School. grocery shopping workshops for saving money and long term EBT benefits. Philabundance , while headquartered in PA, is for the NJ counties of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester as well. The main address is 3616 S. Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Call 215.339.0900. Part of the Feeding America national organization. It offers boxes of food, groceries, and more to local churches and non-profits. Those centers then support the needy, low income, immigrants and working poor. Or apply for Senior Brown Bag / Food Box Distribution, WIC vouchers, SNAP Outreach Program and other government benefits. There is also a free dog and cat food bank too.
Get Food This Week
is run by the government. IT is part of NJ State Basic Needs. The website is a state-government page listing food pantries as well as places for free hot meals - the website has a statewide search. In addition, they provide information on hours, contact information as well as what places are open today for food distribution. Good for finding “this week” distributions. The website is https://www.nj.gov/basicneeds/food/get-food-this-week.shtml .
Northeast Organic Farming Association of NJ
focuses on giving out and/or selling low cost produce. They have fruits, vegetables and other healthy food items. The main location is 334 River Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844. Dial (908) 371-1111. Dial for referrals to fresher, healthier food. Or find free food from local farms .
Mercer Street Friends
primary location is 824 Sylvia St., Ewing, New Jersey 08628. This non-profit only provides assistance to Mercer County. If you or your family is going hungry and needs help, try this regional food bank. They can also refer qualified individuals to public assistance such as WIC or food stamps. Phone: 609-406-0503
Franklin Township Food Bank
is only for that immediate area. Location is 224 Churchill Ave, Somerset, NJ 08873. The site partners with local churches and charities to provide fresh fruits, frozen foods, and other support to needy families in New Jersey. Phone - (732) 246-0009
The Food Brigade
is in several NJ counties, including Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic. The non-profit operates “Community Markets” (client-choice) food pantries. This is where participants, including lower income families, shop for what they need. This gives more dignity/flexibility than fixed boxes. Get details on the food brigade here https://foodbrigade.org/ .
The Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton
helps struggling people in Trenton and Mercer County. The food bank is at 120 E Hanover St, Trenton, NJ 08608. Hot meals, a lunch, and more may be offered. From time to time can have goods such as clothing, diapers, or other so called material assistance. Main number is 609-396-9355
Food Bank Network of Somerset County
is at 409 Mountain Ave, Bound Brook, NJ 08805. Call (732) 560-1813. Thousands of children, seniors, and low income families receive help every year. Perishable and canned goods (such as beans and rice) may be passed out as resources allow. They also have healthy meals, including at Christmas. New Jersey 211 has details on local food pantries and soup kitchens in all towns and cities in NJ. It also covers statewide counties. There are ways to also find food banks that are open daily. In the NJ211’s directory, enter your ZIP or address to find pantries, government benefits soup kitchens near you. https://nj211.org/food-pantries-and-soup-kitchens . Norwescap, the community action agency has a free food bank. Or get information on SNAP applications in NJ, free baby formula for newborns, USDA benefits and more. There are boxes of groceries, holiday food baskets, and help for kids or seniors too. Hunterdon, Sussex and Warren Counties are supported. Offers various social service programs, food boxes, holiday meals, and other aid. The location is 201 Broad St, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Phone: (908) 454-4322
Feeding America
has information on additional free food banks in New Jersey. The centers listed above are just some of the food banks and distribution centers that are located in the state of New Jersey that may be near you. Many other non-profits, emergency pantries, free pet food pantries and charities exist across the region. Organizations, including
Feeding America NJ
, are focused on providing free food and government aid to the low income in the community. Dial (908) 355-3663 to get more information. If you want to communicate with other people in NJ , ask questions or potentially find other food assistance programs, try our NJ forum on food banks . There are real experiences of people from across the state who need groceries and something to eat - there may be resources listed there as well or ask for help.