Halal and Kosher Food Pantries

~3.5M Muslim Americans + ~7M Jewish Americans require religiously-compliant food. Mainstream pantries often do not carry halal or kosher. This page lists specific networks + how to find culturally-affirming options.

1. Halal pantries

• ICNA Relief Muslim Family Services — icnareliefusa.org. The main network. Pantries in >25 cities. Certified halal food. No faith verification.
• Islamic Relief USA — irusa.org. Food programs + emergency financial aid.
• Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) — hhrd.org. Ramadan baskets + regular distribution.
• Local mosques — most run community pantries. Community iftar during Ramadan is free for all.
• Muslim Aid USA — muslimaidusa.org
• Penny Appeal USA — pennyappealusa.org

2. Kosher pantries

• Met Council on Jewish Poverty (NYC) — metcouncil.org. Largest kosher pantry provider in US. NY area.
• Tomchei Shabbos — network of pre-Shabbat kosher pantries. Multiple cities.
• JFNA (Jewish Federations of North America) Pantry Network — 146 local federations operate or fund kosher pantries
• Masbia Soup Kitchen Network (NYC) — masbia.org. 3 locations, free kosher meals + baskets. No verification.
• Project Ezrah — projectezrah.org. NJ + NY. Kosher baskets + financial aid.
• Local synagogues — most have "tzedakah" (charity) that includes kosher food distribution
• Tomchei Shabbos — pre-shabbat baskets with everything for 2 meals + third meal + Havdalah

3. Kosher resources in major cities

4. Ethnic markets accepting EBT

Your EBT card works at SNAP-authorized halal and kosher markets — where you can find religiously-compliant products at competitive prices.

• How to verify — look for USDA SNAP sticker at entrance or ask cashier
• Halal markets — Patel Brothers (multi-state), Kalustyan\u0027s (NYC), Sunshine Halal Meat (various), Honest Tea Halal Mart (CA)
• Kosher markets — Glatt Kosher Market chains, Pomegranate (Brooklyn), Seasons Kosher (multi-state), Trader Joe\u0027s (kosher selection)
• Mainstream ethnic stores with halal/kosher sections — H Mart, 99 Ranch, Patel Brothers, ShopRite (kosher in NY/NJ)
• EBT online →

5. How to work with mainstream pantries

• Ask specifically — ask if they have fresh fruits / vegetables, grains, beans, vegetarian canned goods (all are halal/kosher by default)
• Certified packaged meat — look for halal seal or "U" / "K" kosher seal on packages
• Vegetarian = halal and kosher generally — vegetarian products without alcohol are typically compliant
• If unsure — ask your imam / rabbi for guidance. Permissibility varies by observance level.

6. SNAP — religious considerations

• SNAP benefits do NOT discriminate by religion — all recipients can buy halal or kosher food
• Halal/kosher meat is typically more expensive — use SNAP deductions to maximize
• Under 7 USC 2014(g)(2)(A), employment income excludes contributions to religious / charity funds
• Under 7 CFR 273.9(d)(1)(iv), religious medical expenses (alternative religious medical services) are deductible for 60+ and disabled

7. Religious holidays

• Ramadan (~Mar-Apr 2026) — ICNA Relief and mosques run special distribution. Community iftar at mosques.
• Eid al-Fitr (~Mar 30 2026) — traditional Eidi + baskets for families in need
• Eid al-Adha (~Jun 6 2026) — qurbani / adhia distributes halal meat to families under poverty line
• Passover (~Apr 2026) — Met Council, Tomchei Shabbos, synagogues distribute kosher Passover baskets
• Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur (~Sep 2026) — High Holiday baskets
• Hanukkah (~Dec 14-22 2026) — JCC + synagogues run distribution
• Weekly Shabbat — Tomchei Shabbos distributes weekly pre-shabbat baskets

Need help today?

• ICNA Relief National Helpline — 1-855-855-0066
• Met Council Crisis Helpline (NYC) — 1-212-453-9500
• 211 — multilingual. Mention "halal" or "kosher" for routing.
• Local mosque / synagogue — all have community-assistance contacts

Related resources

• For immigrants →
• For refugees →
• SNAP eligibility →

Versión en español →

Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).