You can pay electronically with your SNAP benefits EBT card at grocery stores and farmers' markets.
Visit our Food Pantry links for a list of daily pantries and meal sites in Tompkins County.
The National School Lunch Program provides healthy, balanced low-cost or free meals to children each school day.
Your EBT/Food Stamp/SNAP card is welcome at a farmers' market near you!
Food Assistance Programs
Please find a food pantry and soup kitchen list for Dutchess County here. Please encourage folks to call before they go to determine if the site is operational at this time.
Please also note that many school districts are serving meals to kids during this time. Click the links below for each school’s schedule. Other districts may be providing this option as well and information can generally be located on the District website.
Dover School District:
Poughkeepsie:
Webutuck: https://www.webutuckschools.org/cms/lib/NY02205715/Centricity/Domain/8/Food%20Service.pdf
Beacon:
https://www.beaconk12.org/domain/22
Hyde Park:
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.
Local Programs:
Daily Food Pantries & Community Meals - Download the list of food pantries and soup kitchens in Dutchess County, which includes the hours and locations of food pantries and community meals offered in Dutchess County and contact information for each site.
MyBenefits.Gov - New York State residents can visit this web site to find out if you are eligible for help through SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Nutrition Education, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, WIC, School Meals and Summer Meal Programs.
SNAP / (formerly Food Stamp) benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled and others feed their families. The USDA’s SNAP-Ed connection web site 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, see a schedule of monthly WIC clinics in locations around Dutchess County, and other WIC resources on this website. (***ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER FOR DUTCHESS COUNTY HERE***)
Our educational program series and lessons help families and households to stretch their food dollars to make healthier choices and eat better for less! Our Eat Smart New York! Program helps individuals and families who have limited resources to gain the knowledge and skills to make healthier food and activity choices.
Last updated November 24, 2020
Women, Infants & Children
WIC is for pregnant women or those with children under five who have limited incomes.
