Food and Food System Resources

The following resources are for individuals and families seeking food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also see information about food assistance programs, work with federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations, and rural health.

Children

• Meals while schools are closed:
  • Ensuring students have meals.
  • Interactive map for finding meals for kids.

Individuals and Families

• Hunger hotline from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for information on meal sites, food banks, and other services near you. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) for Spanish. Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.
• Hunger hotline text option. Text 97779 with a question that contains a keyword such as “food” or “meals”. The automated response will include resources located near an address and/or zip code.
• Food finder for free food assistance programs for children and families.
• Meals on Wheels for individuals with diminished mobility who are generally aged 60 and older, although age requirements can vary. Find a provider online .
• Start simple food planning during the pandemic with MyPlate.
• Using the updated nutrition facts label .
• Healthy eating tips.

Food Assistance

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service COVID-19 response.

Federally-Recognized Tribes or Tribal Organizations

• CDC: Partnering with American Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities to respond to COVID-19.
• USDA food distribution for income-eligible households on Indian reservations and to Native American households residing in designated areas near reservations or in Oklahoma.
• USDA tribal nation COVID-19 waivers and flexibilities.

Rural Areas

• Rural Health Information Hub supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the US Department of Health and Human Services.