The Food Brigade offers various types of free assistance to people in need in New Jersey:

• Weekly "Client Choice" Walk-In Food Pantries (Dumont, Ridgefield, and Union City locations) - refrigerated, frozen, and non-perishable food items

• Weekly "Virtual Food Pantry" with Online Ordering for Homebound Clients (see below for details)

• Mixed Produce Bags/Boxes (as available)

• Packaged Dinner Meals Program (periodic)

• Supermarket Gift Cards Program (periodic)

• Diapers (Infant & Adult) and Diaper Wipes (for our registered food clients)

• Period Supplies Program (for our registered food clients)

• Thanksgiving Distribution Program (November)

HOW TO REQUEST HELP

If you are a resident of New Jersey and are able to come to one of our locations, then you can get food from us! Although most of our clients are from the counties of Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Essex, it doesn't matter where in New Jersey you come from - if you can reach us, and you qualify and register with us, WE WILL GIVE YOU FOOD.

FIRST, YOU MUST QUALIFY: To qualify for assistance, you must fall within at least one of the following seven categories:

1. Recipient of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
2. Recipient of SNAP/Food Stamps
3. Recipient of SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
4. Recipient of WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
5. Recipient of Medicaid
6. Low Income (185% of Poverty - see the schedule below)
7. Disaster (divorce, domestic violence, unusual expense, loss of employment)

SECOND, YOU MUST REGISTER: If you qualify, to receive food you must register in person at one of our distribution centers during our regular hours of operation. That center will then be your assigned location. You may not receive food from more than one location. The addresses and hours are at the bottom of this page.

DOCUMENTATION: When you come in to register, you should be prepared to show us some form of proof that you live in New Jersey (driver's license, utility bill, bank statement, etc.). There are no other documentation requirements.

We also offer the convenience of online registration, which requires a follow-up intake interview with one of our staff before you can receive assistance.

HOW TO RECEIVE FOOD FROM US

IN UNION CITY & RIDGEFIELD: Our Hudson Central (Union City) and Bergen South (Ridgefield) food centers are "client choice" walk-in pantry marketplaces. Once you become a registered client, we will give you a Food Pantry Access Pass. To get food at either location, come in during its regular hours of operation and show your Food Pantry Access Pass. You must sign our Signature Sheets before you can shop. You may get food from your assigned location once a week. (If you ever want to change your assigned location, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)

IN DUMONT: Our Bergen Central (Dumont) food center is also a "client choice" pantry marketplace, but it is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. You must log in to your account in our online pantry storefront (click the link in the notification emails you receive from us) and make an appointment/place an order. When you place your order, you will see an Order Confirmation screen. You must print it out, or take a screenshot, and bring it with you when you come to pick up your food. You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment. You may also receive email and text message reminders of your scheduled visit.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PICK UP YOUR FOOD

If you need to have someone pick up your food for you, both you and that person must FIRST sign and submit a Proxy Form. Proxies are allowed for sick and shut-in individuals only. Individual food recipients must designate their proxy in writing on an annual basis. Click here for the Proxy Form.

HOME DELIVERIES

In certain limited locations, we offer home delivery service to clients who are homebound and unable to travel to our food distribution centers. For example, you may be able to receive home delivery if you are disabled, or a stay-at-home parent caring for a special needs child. To request home delivery, you must have a screening interview and provide proof of the need. You must be at home when the delivery is made. You must sign to acknowledge receipt of the food delivery. If you feel you may qualify for this service, please call us at 201-614-4414.

 REFUSAL OF SERVICE

Although our mission is charitable in nature, you may be refused services if:

1. You make untrue or inaccurate statements in your registration application form or otherwise provide untrue or inaccurate information for your account.
2. You are abusive or threatening toward our staff or volunteers.
3. You fail or refuse to follow the instructions and direction of our staff or volunteers when receiving services.
4. You fail to pick up food that you ordered and/or reserved, without contacting us to advise that you were unable to pick up.

BERGEN CENTRAL LOCATION (DUMONT): at Calvary United Methodist Church, 185 W. Madison Ave., Dumont, New Jersey (enter parking lot behind church off Cooper Ave.)

HUDSON CENTRAL LOCATION (UNION CITY): 713 23rd Street, Union City, New Jersey (between Summit Avenue & Central Avenue)

BERGEN SOUTH LOCATION (RIDGEFIELD): at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church, 555 Prospect Ave., Ridgefield, New Jersey (enter parking lot to the right of church, look for glass entranceway on side of church)

Click here for Non-Discrimination Statement.