Canal Cafeteria is a Free Grocery Store

A New Kind of Food Pantry in the LES

Shortly after COVID-19 hit New York, Canal Cafeteria set out to address the growing food insecurity in the Lower East Side by providing healthy and sustainable food at little to no cost. What we started as a weekly Saturday table in LES has grown into a movement. Since June of 2020, we have filled over 1,000 tote bags with almost 10,000 lbs of produce for families and individuals in the Lower East Side.

Our mission to provide local and sustainable food to the LES community remains the same but our vision for how to achieve this has grown. Canal Cafeteria plans to become a full time, year-round space, that blends food pantry, grocery store and community center models. We want to shift the way we think about food security by moving from charity to mutual aid. We want to create a food space where our visitors are shoppers... but the food costs little to nothing. We want to ditch the idea of a hand out.

Our goal of $100,000 will fund:

• Rent for a new brick and mortar space in the LES
• Produce and shelf-stable food items
• Transportation and car-related costs
• Salaries for Canal Cafeteria employees and administrators

This food space will not only expand food access but also provide a community center for events and employment opportunities. We are asking for your support to go even further, serve even more people, and make an even bigger impact on a neighborhood that has been such an incredible example of perseverance and strength. 

Together, we can reach our goal and build a space for our community to thrive.

Our Mission

Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, NYC had a food-insecure population of over 1 million - this number continues to grow as the city and its residents struggle against COVID and its effects on health, income, and housing. The LES population is over 60% BIPOC, with a poverty rate of 30% compared to a citywide 17.3% (furmancenter.org). Food insecurity is a reality in this city, and Canal Cafeteria believes that healthy food should be accessible to everyone. 

Canal Cafeteria functions entirely through the support of donations, volunteers, and aid from local businesses and farms. Our work is built on the core tenants of C.C.C; Community, Collaboration, and Conversation.

Get Involved

We’re also currently seeking partners who are just as excited about food equity as we are. If you are interested in joining our movement please reach out to [email protected] with a little bit about yourself or your company. 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media @canalcafeteria on Instagram for the latest updates on our progress and volunteer opportunities in the NYC area.

Want to volunteer for a shift at our Saturday distribution table? Shifts are at 10 AM each Saturday and we meet at 74 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002 (Las Lap). 

Sign up: https://www.canalcafeteria.com/volunteer

(all rewards will begin to ship at the end of April)