NYC children does not always know where their next meal will come from
1M+
average monthly visits to food pantries and soup kitchens among NYC families with children in 2025
97%
increase in visits to food pantries by children and their families, compared to 2019
42%
of families with children reported needing more money to meet their household food needs—6 percentage points higher than the citywide average.
$33.3K
is the average cost for childcare alone for a family with a preschooler and a school-aged child in Queens
The need for food assistance in New York City is persistently high as families across the five boroughs face an ongoing affordability crisis. Food, childcare, and housing expenses are out of reach for many families on already-tight budgets, making it even harder for our neighbors to afford the nutritious foods their families need to thrive. Many parents are forced to make impossible choices, such as paying their rent or buying groceries for their children.
These challenges are often exacerbated during the summer months, when access to free school meals may become more limited.
