Food on a Budget

Eating right in NYC can be difficult on a limited budget. Food is expensive! The Family Center’s Leadership Council recognizes this. In addition to their financial literacy workshops for clients, they have compiled the following information about local organizations that offer free programs all about accessing great food that’s good for you and low cost.

  • Community Food Advocate (CFA)

    Focuses on school lunch, summer meals, school breakfast, SNAP, cash assistance, and WIC. Visit CFA here.

  • Eagle Street Rooftop Farm

    A 6,000 square foot green roof organic vegetable farm, located atop a warehouse rooftop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn; they partner with Growing Chefs to host a range of workshops for children and adults. Visit Eagle Street Rooftop Farm here.

  • East New York Farms

    Two community-run farmers markets, a gardener assistance program, a youth internship program, and a Community Educator program which provides cooking demonstrations, presentations, and gardening workshops. Visit East New York Farms here.

  • Farm School NYC

    Urban agriculture training through a certificate program as well as a wide range of individual courses. Visit Farm School NYC here.

  • Food Bank

    Offers a range of food-related resources to families in NYC. Visit the Food Bank here.

  • Greenmarket Farmers' Market (GrowNYC)

    Offers a Greenmarket farmers markets, free recycling training, and gardening support. They also provide 30,000 children each year with outdoor activity programs. Visit GrowNYC here.

  • Harlem Grown

    Inspires youth to live healthy with hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition. Visit Harlem Grown here.

  • Just Food

    Supports and trains community members to advocate for and increase access to healthy, locally-grown food, especially in underserved NYC neighborhoods. You could be one such community member! Visit Just Food here.

  • Youth Farm

    Grows organic food and flowers on once acre in Brooklyn, and offers advanced farm training and leadership opportunities for youth and adults. Visit Youth Farm here.

More resources include a great list of 21 NYC food organizations, compiled by the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College.