Wages for the poor are still prevalent even in the wealthy area of Westchester, but Feeding Westchester is here to help. The mission of Feeding Westchester is simple, to bring nutritious food to the areas of Westchester County that need it most. Their motto is “Together, we feed for a better tomorrow.” It’s a motto that has made a major impact on the Westchester community, as they serve an average of 229,000 neighbor visits with around 300 programs and partners. This includes 80,000 kids in Westchester through partnerships with local schools, libraries, daycare centers, and other organizations, where these kids receive nutritious and easy-to-prepare food that they otherwise wouldn’t have. Not only that, but 40 percent of the food that Feeding Westchester provides is fresh fruits and vegetables.
Feeding Westchester through their Green Thumb initiative doesn’t give just any food, but brings fresh seasonal produce every week to their community partners and meal programs. Similarly, their Senior Grocery Program has food brought to seniors and those with disabilities directly to their homes to promote independent living and better health. They’re also improving the health of those in need through their Food is Medicine program, which involves a combination of improved food access, targeted healthcare, and community resources, in collaboration with healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics. Their Mobile Food Pantry is breaking barriers to food access through, a “market on wheels” as their specialized 26-foot refrigerated truck brings fresh food to the communities that don’t necessarily have access to fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. The delivery allows them to help neighborhoods that don’t have operating service agencies. The Mobile Food Pantry’s schedule includes distributing late afternoon and Saturday so that working people can access fresh food more conveniently. Feeding Westchester’s nutritionists provide food education and resources to low-income families. The Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables initiative provides low-income families with cost-effective and practical tips for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as their licensed nutritionists working with their community partners to provide nutrition education workshops, USDA-approved recipes, and cooking demonstrations.
Feeding Westchester is also a member of Feeding America, a nationwide nonprofit network that includes over 200 food bands in every state in the US. This membership gives them access to millions of pounds of donated food products from national companies. They’re also able through the membership to maximize their efficiency in delivering their services and access to training, allowing them to be one of the top 10 percent of Feeding America’s member food banks for providing nutritious foods to their community.
Feeding Westchester has truly made a difference, but don’t take our word for it, just look at all the awards and accolades they continue to receive. They were rated by 914 Inc. Best Place to Work in 2024, as well as winning both Best of Westchester and Gold Transparency in 2023. They also have 4 stars on Charity Navigator. Feeding Westchester is doing its part, because as they say “For many of our neighbors, the availability of affordable, nutritious food is elemental to their emotional and physical survival. It is within our power to not only feed those in need but to provide them with resources and hope for better days ahead.”