You can get fresh, healthy, and free food throughout the state. Find a community kitchen near you serving free meals and pick up free groceries at your local food bank. Learn about Washington State food programs that provide monthly funds to help you and your family purchase the foods you need.
Food programs
Food programs provide a monthly stipend to help you pay for groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) is called Basic Food in our state. To qualify for Basic Food you must meet certain requirements for citizenship or immigration status, residency, and income. If you are ineligible for Basic Food because of immigration status, you can apply for the State Food Assistance Program. Women, infants, and children can access food benefits as well as nutrition education through The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC).
Guide on how to apply and use Basic Food benefits
Apply in person at a Community Services Office
Use this tool to estimate your monthly Basic Food benefits
Food banks
Pick up free groceries today at a nearby food bank.
Northwest Harvest Food Access Network
Food pantries in Eastern Washington
Free meals
Find a meal site near you offering free hot meals or box lunches. Children who receive free or reduced-price school lunches can find free meals in the summer through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
Meal sites in Eastern Washington
Northwest Harvest Food Access Network
Not sure where to start?
The federal government operates a hotline for individuals and families who need information on how to find food. They can connect you with food providers in your community, government assistance programs, and other social services. For general help you can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) from Monday through Friday, 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT.
Learn more and call the USDA National Hunger Hotline for more help and resources on obtaining food.
You can also call 2-1-1 in Washington state at anytime during the day to get help finding food.