Driven by the belief that access to healthy food is a basic right for all people, Feeding Westchester leads hunger action programs and mobilizes the resources needed to eradicate hunger in Westchester County.
Feeding Westchester is registered as a 501 (c)(3)
Feeding Westchester’s mission is to end hunger in Westchester County. As the heart of a network of nearly 300 partners, we source and distribute food and other resources to towns across Westchester, helping to ensure that none of our neighbors are hungry. We feed Westchester.
Feeding Westchester is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide network of more than 200 food banks serving every state in the United States. Our membership gives us access to millions of pounds of donated food products from national companies. Our Feeding America membership also provides access to trainings and resources that help us maximize efficiency. We are proud to be part of the top ten percent of Feeding America’s member food banks for distributing nutritious food to local people.
Feeding Westchester Programs:
Food Recovery
Our fleet of 9 refrigerated trucks are on the roads every day, picking up donations from over 80 farmers, wholesalers and retailers. Back at our more than 30,000-square-foot distribution center, we quickly inspect, sort and pack it all for distribution. Then our trucks deliver nutritious food through our own programs and nearly 300 partner food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and day care centers — often the same day it’s recovered!
Fresh Markets
Our Fresh Markets in Mount Vernon, Larchmont / Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, and Yonkers provide seasonal fruits and vegetables directly to clients. On market day, food deserts are transformed into vibrant sources of top-quality, fresh, colorful produce. Agencies and clients arrive to select from up to 10,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables — everything from apples and mangoes to spinach and zucchini!
Green Thumb
Feeding Westchester’s Green Thumb program mobilizes devoted volunteers every week to pack bags full of fresh, seasonal produce for delivery to area agencies serving upwards of 3,200 households every week. Included in the bags are at least four types of vegetables and two types of fruits, from apples to squash to clementines and carrots.
BackPack Program
Providing children with the nutritious, kid-friendly and easy-to-prepare food they need on the weekends. Each year we assemble nearly 60,000 “BackPacks” of child-friendly meals food for elementary school children who need it most. Each pack contains more than seven pounds of food, which is enough for six meals or more that kids can microwave or prepare even when adults aren’t home.
Mobile Food Pantry
This specialized 36-foot refrigerated truck brings a “market on wheels” to underserved communities so that fresh, nutritious foods can be delivered directly to those who need it.
Cooking & Nutrition Classes
Our hands-on cooking and nutrition classes reach thousands of people every year, transforming meals for generations of families. Our “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables (JSY)” Program provides low-income families with practical, cost-effective tips for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. A licensed nutritionist from Feeding Westchester works with our agencies to provide hands-on nutrition education workshops and cooking demonstrations. Each workshop provides practical nutrition information using USDA approved lesson plans and recipes, using fresh fruits and vegetables. This helps to raise awareness about eating nutritious foods and preparing them in a safe manner.