How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in New Jersey

15 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC-funded programs covering all 21 counties.

15 Resources

1. NJ SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance) — Free

NJ SNAP provides monthly food assistance benefits to eligible low-income NJ residents for purchasing healthy food at authorized grocery stores statewide. Benefits are loaded onto the Families First EBT card. Call 1-800-687-9512 or apply at NJOneApp.gov Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm at county offices. Bring proof of income, household size, residency, and ID when applying. Benefits are renewed monthly. Income limits vary by household size. Most applicants receive a decision within 30 days of applying.

1-800-687-9512 · Apply online or at local County Board of Social Services · Online 24/7; offices Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. NJ WIC Program — Free

NJ WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental food benefits to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 who meet income guidelines. Call 1-866-446-5942 for your nearest clinic; WIC clinics in all 21 NJ counties require an appointment. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card for eligible foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and infant formula. Income eligibility at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Both parents can participate in nutrition education.

1-866-446-5942 · WIC clinics throughout all 21 NJ counties · Varies by local WIC clinic; appointment required · Visit Website

3. Community FoodBank of New Jersey — Free

New Jersey's largest anti-hunger organization distributing over 90 million pounds of food annually through 800 or more community partners across 18 counties. Located in Hillside at 31 Evans Terminal. Call 908-355-3663 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and after-school programs. Find your nearest food distribution site at cfbnj.org by entering your ZIP code. Also provides SNAP outreach and enrollment assistance to connect NJ families with ongoing food benefits.

908-355-3663 · 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ 07205 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Food Bank of South Jersey — Free

Food Bank of South Jersey serves Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties through 200 or more partner agencies distributing food and providing nutrition education programs. Located in Pennsauken at 1501 John Tipton Blvd. Call 856-662-4884 Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm. Find the nearest food pantry or distribution site at foodbanksj.org. Also offers SNAP outreach and benefits enrollment assistance. No cost for food recipients through partner agencies. Serves over 100,000 South Jersey residents annually.

856-662-4884 · 1501 John Tipton Blvd, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

5. Fulfill (formerly FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties) — Free

Fulfill food bank serves Monmouth and Ocean counties through 300 or more partner programs providing food distribution, SNAP outreach, and benefits enrollment assistance. Located in Neptune at 3300 Route 66. Call 732-918-2600 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Find your nearest distribution site at fulfillnj.org by ZIP code. Provides fresh produce, shelf-stable items, and protein through food pantries and mobile distribution events across both counties. No cost for recipients at partner locations.

732-918-2600 · 3300 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Table of Hope (Newark) — Free

Table of Hope is Newark's largest emergency food provider serving over 5,000 meals per week through hot meal distribution, a food pantry, and community nutrition programs. Located at 211 Washington St in Newark. Call 973-622-9192 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. Open to all Newark-area residents regardless of income or documentation status. No appointment required for walk-in food pantry access. Partners with the Community FoodBank of NJ to maintain consistent food supplies for Newark's most food-insecure communities.

973-622-9192 · 211 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

7. Feeding America - NJ Food Banks — Free

Feeding America is the national hunger relief network with multiple NJ member food banks. Find your nearest NJ food bank and local food pantry through the free online zip code locator at feedingamerica.org. Available 24 hours a day with no registration required. Member NJ food banks include the Community FoodBank of NJ, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, and others. Connecting NJ residents to free emergency food resources quickly and easily regardless of county or household situation.

Search by NJ zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

8. NJ One Seat Ride (Benefits Portal) — Free

NJ's online benefits portal at NJOneApp.gov for applying to SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, cash assistance (WFNJ), and other benefits in a single unified application. Call 1-800-687-9512 for assistance. Available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Applicants can check eligibility, upload documents, and track application status through the portal. No office visit required to start an application. Bring or upload proof of income, identity, residency, and household composition when applying.

1-800-687-9512 · Online resource · Online 24/7

9. Mercer Street Friends Food Bank (Trenton) — Free

Food bank serving Mercer County residents with food distribution, emergency food pantries, and nutrition education programs. Located at 151 E State St in Trenton. Call 609-396-1506 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5pm. Partners with area food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters to distribute food. No income documentation typically required to receive food assistance. Visit mercerstreetfriends.org to find the nearest Mercer County distribution site or pantry hours in your neighborhood.

609-396-1506 · 151 E State St, Trenton, NJ 08608 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Meals on Wheels – NJ — Free

Home-delivered nutritious meals for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities across New Jersey through the Meals on Wheels program. Call 211 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging and request meal delivery services. Program eligibility varies by county but typically covers adults aged 60 and older who have difficulty preparing food. Deliveries run Monday through Friday. Volunteer drivers also provide a brief wellness check-in with each delivery. Sliding scale fees or free service based on income.

211 · Programs statewide · Deliveries Mon-Fri · Visit Website

11. NJ School Meals – Community Eligibility — Free

Many New Jersey school districts participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, providing free breakfast and lunch to all students without individual applications. Contact your child's school district to confirm eligibility and meal program details. Information is also available at nj.gov/agriculture. No income documentation required at participating schools. Programs cover all enrolled students and operate on the regular school calendar. Some districts also offer free meals during school breaks and summer months.

Contact your school district · School hours · Visit Website

12. Summer Meals – Free Kids' NJ — Free

Free summer meals for children and teenagers under 18 at designated NJ sites during the summer months when school is not in session. Text FOOD to 304-304 or visit fns.usda.gov/meals4kids to find sites near you. No registration or income verification required. Meals are served at parks, libraries, community centers, and schools across all NJ counties. Sponsored by the USDA Summer Food Service Program and administered through NJ food banks and school districts statewide.

Text FOOD to 304-304 · Sites statewide · Summer months · Visit Website

13. NJ TEFAP – Emergency Food Assistance — Free

USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program distributes free USDA commodity foods through New Jersey food banks to low-income households. Foods include canned goods, dairy, grains, and protein items. Distribution is conducted through local food pantries and community organizations across all NJ counties. No cost for eligible low-income households. Income guidelines apply. Contact your local food bank or dial 2-1-1 to find the nearest TEFAP distribution site and schedule in your area.

Through local food banks · Hours vary · Visit Website

14. Elijah's Promise (New Brunswick) — Free

Elijah's Promise is a New Brunswick community soup kitchen and social enterprise offering free daily lunches and a culinary arts job training program for adults facing employment barriers. Located at 18 Neilson St. Call 732-545-9002; lunch served Monday through Friday 11:30am to 1pm. Free meals open to all without income requirements. The culinary training program equips adults with food service credentials and job placement support. Serves the New Brunswick community regardless of housing or immigration status.

732-545-9002 · 18 Neilson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 · Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-1pm · Visit Website

15. NJ Farmers Against Hunger — Free

NJ Farmers Against Hunger connects New Jersey farms with food banks and pantries to distribute fresh, surplus produce to families in need across the state. A seasonal network that operates during harvest periods. Visit farmersagainsthunger.org to find distribution events. No cost for recipients. Farmers donate surplus crops that would otherwise go to waste, providing fresh fruits and vegetables to food-insecure NJ families. Volunteers are also welcomed to assist with gleaning and food distribution during the growing season.

Seasonal · Visit Website

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.