Food Security Resources
Food security, as a social determinant of health, has one of the most extensive impacts on the health of an individual. If you are experiencing food insecurity (meaning you don’t have access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet your basic needs), the following resources can help.
For additional support, schedule a health promotion appointment or call 212-854-7426 and ask to speak with one of our clinical social workers at Medical Services.
Organization
The Food Pantry at Columbia (website)
Description
On-campus food pantry providing non-perishable food to students experiencing food insecurity.
Serves
All currently registered students across Columbia’s 21 schools, colleges, and affiliates. No other criteria or financial requirements. Place your order online.
Location
Alfred Lerner Hall
Medical Center
Organization
Emergency Meal Fund at Columbia Dining (website)
Description
Program offering a select number of meals per term to undergraduate students (CC, SEAS, or GS) in urgent need
Serves
Undergraduate Columbia students with an active dining plan facing unexpected financial delay
Location
Multiple locations
Organization
The College Student Pantry (website)
Description
Food pantry for any student
Serves
Any student who needs food. No questions asked. Appointment only.
Location
Trinity's SAFH in the East Village
602 E. 9th Street (at the corner of Ave. B)
Organization
Food Bank for New York City (website)
Description
Local food pantry and community kitchen in Harlem
Serves
Harlem community
Location
252 West 116th Street New York, NY 10026
Organization
FoodHelp (website)
Description
A tool for finding locations that offer free food (food pantries and soup kitchens).
Serves
New York City communities
Location
Multiple; use the finder tool to find locations
Organization
Corbin Hill Food Project/Farm Share (website)
Description
Low-cost seasonal produce
Serves
New York City communities
Location
Multiple; visit website
Organization
GrowNYC Farmstands (website)
Description
Fresh, affordable food in underserved and under resourced neighborhoods in NYC
Serves
New York City communities
Location
Multiple; view current farmstand locations
Organization
NY Common Pantry (website)
Description
Several programs: Pantry Packages (fresh, culturally appropriate, and nutritious food free to participants who qualify), a Hot Meals program (hearty balanced breakfast and dinner), and a Mobile Pantry Program (fresh produce and groceries from community-based organizations)
Serves
New York City communities
Location
Multiple; the closest location to campus is in East Harlem on East 109th Street
Organization
Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun (212-787-7600)
Description
Soup Kitchen offering Kosher foods Open Thursdays from 12 - 1 p.m.
Serves
New York City communities
Location
257 W 88th St New York, NY 10024
Organization
Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights (English: 212-568-5450; Spanish: 786-529-5116)
Description
Pantry for residents of Upper Manhattan. Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., by appointment. In addition to the food pantry, they have an Anti-Poverty Food and Nutrition Program that provides entitlement counseling, the delivery of weekend and holiday meals to the homebound, and emergency food vouchers.
Serves
Upper Manhattan communities
Location
121 Bennett Ave New York, NY 10033
Organization
Lillian Wald Food Pantry (212-260-2731)
Description
Food pantry offering Kosher foods Open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Serves
New York City communities
Location
12 Avenue D New York, NY 10009
Organization
Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway (718-792-4744)
Description
Food pantry offering Kosher foods Open Thursdays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Serves
New York City communities
Location
2157 Holland Ave Bronx, NY 10462
Organization
The Community Food Pantry (718-960-2262)
Description
Food pantry offering Halal foods Open Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thursdays 12 - 3 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Serves
New York City communities
Location
1363 Ogden Ave Bronx, NY 10452
Organization
Masjid Masjid Omar Abdel Aziz (718-541-8485)
Description
Food pantry offering Halal foods Open on the third Wednesday of the month from 3 - 5 p.m.
Serves
New York City communities
Location
88-29 161st St Jamaica, NY 11432
Organization
Too Good To Go (website)
Description
App-based service connecting users to participating restaurants with surplus of unsold food offered at half-price or less
Serves
Multiple countries
Location
Participating restaurants; view in application