Browse a list of frequently asked questions. If you have a question that does not appear here, please contact Member Services at 212.566.7855, option 3.

 

ONLINE ORDERING

Log into the Online Ordering System here.

Read the documentation on Food Bank’s Online Ordering System.

 

MEMBERSHIP

How do I submit a People Served Report?
Submitting the required People Served Report is easy through FeedNYC: http://www.feednyc.org. Once you log on, there will be a tab across the top of your screen for Statistics. Roll over this tab and select “Enter Service Statistics.” If you have not used Feed NYC in the past, you will need to create an account.

How do I resolve a hold?
There are several different reasons why your program may have been placed on hold. Please look below for the appropriate action.

• Statistical Hold
  This hold is placed when a program fails to submit their monthly People Served Reports. To find out which reports are missing, go to http://www.feednyc.org and click on “View and Modify Service Statistics” under “Statistics.” All reports for the current fiscal year must be submitted in order to resolve the hold.
• Accounting Hold
  An accounting hold is placed when a network member is nearing or has exceeded its credit limit. To resolve this hold, the outstanding balance must be paid. For further information, contact Food Bank’s Member Customer Service line: 212.566.7855, option 3.
• TEFAP/Food Bank Contract Hold
  This hold is the result of Food Bank not having a signed TEFAP or Food Bank contract on file. Once the contract has been signed and mailed back to Food Bank the hold can be removed.
• EFAP Hold
  To resolve this hold you will need to contact your EFAP coordinator.
• Monitor Hold

  This hold is a result of your Member Engagement Coordinator’s (MEC) visit to your program. A monitor hold shows there is an area of non-compliance with the contract that was observed at the site visit. You can reach out to your MEC to determine how to remove the hold.

How do I check my account balance?
To check your grant and account balances you can call our Member Customer Service line, 212.566.7855 option 3.  Choose option 2 to speak to an available member service representative.

You can also view your available grants and account balances in the Online Ordering system.

• Click My Account.

• Click Accounts Payable to see balances up to 120 days past due.

 

GRANTS

What are the different grants available through Food Bank?

Food Bank administers a variety of grants, including federal, state, and city programs as well as through private funders.

• Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)
  EFAP is a citywide program run through the Human Resources Administration.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
  TEFAP is a federal program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), available to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
  
• Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
  HPNAP is funded through New York State and is available to food pantries and soup kitchens.
  
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
  EFSP, a federal program operated in conjunction with United Way, is available to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
  

What are the grant cycles, and how do I apply?

The City’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) runs in six-month cycles and applications are available through the Human Resources Administration. The two grant cycles are July 1–December 30 and January 1–June 30.

The New York State Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) is funded yearly and applications are available through the Food Bank For New York City. The grant cycle is July 1–June 30.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is federally funded, is funded on an October 1–September 30 schedule. There is no application process. Food Bank network food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters which are open to the public are automatically enrolled in the program.

 

Becoming a Member

Food Bank works with programs that have been distributing food to the needy for at least once per week consecutively over the last three months. If your program has not been in operation once per week for at least 3 consecutive months, you can find programs already operating in your area.  It may be more beneficial to your community to support an existing food distribution program by volunteering for them or doing a fundraiser for them rather than starting your own program.

If you do want to open your own food distribution program, please see this Best Practices Guide.