Food Assistance Programs

Making ends meet during difficult times can be easier with help from the right programs and other community resources. Cornell Cooperative Extension works with many local food assistance programs to help families, individuals and seniors find and access food resources that best meet their needs.

Local Programs

Visit http://www.211helpline.org or call 2-1-1 to find help with food assistance and other services, programs or agencies.

Daily Food Pantries & Community Meals

Food Bank of the Southern Tier distributes food and other grocery products to more than 165 member agencies that then serve people in need, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other hunger relief organizations in Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins Counties. They also offer direct food distribution programs including the BackPack Program™ and Mobile Food Pantry (sites are included in the first Food Pantries link listed above).

State Programs

MyBenefits.Gov - New York State residents can visit this web site to find out if you are eligible for help through SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Nutrition Education, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, WIC, School Meals and Summer Meal Programs.

The SNAP-to-Market website helps you find NY Farmers' Markets where you can use your SNAP benefits (formerly Food Stamps) and explains how to make Farmers' Market purchases with them. You'll also find information on when fruits and vegetables are in-season at your market, and recipes to use with produce you buy. 

WIC - the Women, Infants & Children’s Supplemental Food Program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to community services for low-income pregnant and post-partum women and their children under five years of age. Breastfeeding support is available. Find out if you are eligible for WIC, on the link above.

Farmer's Market Nutrition Program promotes local farmers by expanding their sales at farmers' markets and farm stands, and to foster healthy communities through the consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. FMNP does this through the promotion of fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers so they may expand their sales through New York State farmers' markets and farm stands.

Fresh Connect Checks - In collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Veterans Benefits Advisors with the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services are offering FreshConnect checks to Active Duty members, Veterans and their immediate family members, as well as un-remarried surviving spouses of Veterans.

Double Up Food Bucks NY - When using SNAP benefits for produce, you can double the amount of produce at participating markets.

Last updated December 7, 2023