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.

To learn about local or state programs that may be able to help you, visit these links:

The HOPE Center Keuka Food Pantry- Pro Action partnered with Keuka Housing to open The HOPE Center Keuka Food Pantry in September 2017. The pantry works to stabilize families in economic crisis and support them as they strive for self-reliance and a better future. Contact the HOPE Center at 315-924-3502 or via e-mail at hopecenter@proactioninc.org. 

The Living Well - A ministry of the United Methodist Churches of Yates County that offers a safe, welcoming, respectful space and staff dedicated to helping individuals with immediate needs and resources.

Pro Action of Steuben & Yates, Inc. is the host agency for the Food Bank of Central New York’s Food Sense program in Yates County. Food Sense is a group purchasing program without income or eligibility requirements. Each month, for $15.50, the Food Sense program provides more than $40 worth of food. Other services include a senior nutrition/meals-on-wheels type program. Contact Pro Action at 117 East Steuben Street, Suite 11, Bath, New York 14810-1600, or call (607) 776-2125.

MyBenefits.Gov - New York State residents can visit this website to find out if they are eligible for help through SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Nutrition Education, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, WIC, School Meals, and Summer Meal Programs.

SNAP benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled, and others feed their families. The USDA’s SNAP-Ed connection website provides great tips and resources. Choose from Healthy Eating on a Budget, 10 Steps to Help Fill Your Grocery Bag, Ways to Manage Your Food Dollars, and MORE at: http://snap.nal.usda.gov/resource-library/eat-right-when-moneys-tight.

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. Breastfeeding support is available. Find out if you are eligible for WIC, on the link above.

Fresh Connect Checks—In collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Veterans Benefits Advisors with the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services are offering FreshConnect checks to Active Duty members, Veterans and their immediate family members, and un-remarried surviving spouses of Veterans.

Double Up Food Bucks NY - When using SNAP benefits for produce, you can double the amount of produce at participating markets.

Last updated April 1, 2024