Food Pantries

Ending Hunger In The North Country

In the North Country, communities serve the needs of the whole person for the best outcomes. A healthy diet supports physical and mental health therefore it is a pillar of serving those in crisis. A healthy diet can reduce medical expenses, increase stability, and result in better long-term outcomes. In addition to providing access to healthy food, some organizations host cooking workshops and provide recipes for those they serve. Without these programs, individuals and families may not be equipped with the skills or knowledge to cook some of the items they receive. In other words, access and ability are fundamental to address the nutritional needs of the community.

A food pantry is a location where hungry individuals and families can access food and other supplies. Food pantries feed hundreds per week in partnership with various community and governmental organizations. Some food pantries are associated with larger organizations such as the Food Bank of Central New York while others operate independently. For instance, religious parishes may operate food pantries supported on donations from the parish community. In Central and Northern New York, 1 in 8 individuals do not have consistent access to healthy food making them food insecure, but through the collaboration of food banks and food pantries, there is help available.