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:

Daily Food Pantries & Community Meals - Lewis County Opportunities lists food pantries in Lewis County, and also in the N and Central NY regions. You may also find food pantry locations by zip code on the Food Bank of Central NY website.

Senior Nutrition Services. The Department of Aging offers a comprehensive nutrition program including: nutrition education and counseling, home delivered meals, congregate meals and health promotion. These services are free to any person over the age of 60. Learn more at: Discover Nutritional Support with OFA's Community and Home Meal Programs, Eligible Ages 60+ (lewiscountyny.gov)

Food Bank of Central NY 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 Central New York. Find food pantry and fresh food information, programs for children and gardening programs on their website.

Food $en$e is a monthly food buying co-op for anyone who wants to stretch their grocery dollars. Food Sense provides a monthly box of staple grocery items at a discounted price as well as a selection of family-sized specials.

State & National 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.

SNAP (formerly Food Stamp) benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled and others feed their families. The USDA’s SNAP-ED NY web site provides great tips and resources. 

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.Find out if you are eligible for WIC, see a schedule of monthly WIC clinics in locations around Lewis County, and other WIC resources on this website.

Our educational program series and lessons help families and households to stretch their food dollars to make healthier choices and eat better for less! Our Eat Smart New York! Program helps individuals and families who have limited resources to gain the knowledge and skills to make healthier food and activity choices.

Last updated August 20, 2024