New Orleans Food Access Hub
Below are resources for food assistance, locations to find free and affordable food, and sites for food donation throughout New Orleans . If you know of other resources that can be added to this guide, send the information to samantha@nolafoodpolicy.org.
Summer feeding programs and resources
When schools lets out for summer vacation, many children often lose access to consistent meals. The city, food banks, non-profits and restaurants are filling this gap by providing free or affordable meals and snacks for children who are out of school and might otherwise go hungry.
Offers free summer meals for kids and teens, 18 years and under. No registration or ID required at open walk up sites. You can find a site here.
Sun Bucks
Louisiana SUN Bucks provides families with a ONE-TIME payment of $120 for each eligible school-aged child (5 to 18 years old) to buy groceries during the summer break. Learn more about eligibility here.
Here you will find a list of other sites available for summer feeding. Please note the operating days and times. Many sites offer meals that must be eaten on site.
Restaurants providing affordable meals
Blue Oak BBQ - Every Wednesday, kids 12 & under eat free at Blue Oak BBQ. Get 2 kids meals per 1 adult entrée when you dine in and order from the kids menu. Whole krewe must be present!
Food Assistance
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that help low-income households buy the food they need for good health. You can receive enrollment assistance at a New Orleans Public Library. Find locations and times here.
The New Orleans Health Department also provide SNAP applications and informational materials, computer access, guidance on how to complete the application, and confidential spaces where residents can both securely submit their information and also access additional services such as WIC, Healthcare for the Homeless, and more. Find more information here. Assistance is available at the following sites:
AP Sanchez Service Center (1616 Fats Domino Ave, 70117): First Friday of each month, 10 am-12 pm.
City Hall (1300 Perdido St, 70112): Second Monday of each month, 10 am-12 pm.
Allie Mae Williams Service Center (2020 Jackson Ave, 70113): Second Thursday of each month, 10 am-12 pm
Edna Pilsbury Health Center (2222 Simon Bolivar Ave, 70113): Third Tuesday of each month, 10am - 12 pm
New Orleans East WIC Clinic (10001 Lake Forest Blvd, 70127): Last Wednesday of each month, 1 pm - 3 pm
Market match
If you have SNAP benefits, you can double them for up to any amount match per visit at any Crescent City Farmers market with your EBT card. Visit the market tent to receive tokens for fresh produce. Other market match partners include Grow Dat Youth Farm, At River Queen Greens, New Orleans Food Co-op, Veggi Co-op, and Barcelo Gardens. For more information about the market match partners, visit the Market Umbrella website here.
Feeding Sites
If you need immediate food assistance consider these resources:
Map of Food Distributions & Pantries: Feeding America associated sites
Community Resource Guide: Scroll down to page 33 for free meals and food pantries.
Community Fridges: Refrigerators stocked with fresh produce and ready-to-eat meals, open to all
Food Resources Handout (from NOYA): a list of food distribution, hot meal, and red box sites as well as senior outreach luncheon dates and locations.
SproutNOLA: Visit the SPROUT community farm (300 N. Broad) on Thursdays from 4-5:30, (no need to sign up) to receive $10 in market tokens for the Crescent City Farmers Market while the government is shut down and $20 for SNAP recipients. After the shut down regular token amounts will resume ($8).