What is the main food bank in South Florida?

Feeding South Florida is the largest food bank serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. It supplies hundreds of partner pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across the region.

Where can I find a free food pantry in Miami or Fort Lauderdale?

Use Feeding South Florida's Find Food map for pantries near you, or dial 2-1-1 for a same-day referral. Most South Florida pantries serve walk-ins with no ID or income proof and operate weekly.

How do I apply for SNAP in South Florida?

Florida SNAP is administered by the Department of Children and Families. Apply online at access.myflfamilies.com, by phone at 1-866-762-2237, or at a DCF service center in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County.

Are there food banks in the Florida Keys?

Yes. Feeding South Florida serves Monroe County through partners in Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West, plus the Star of the Sea Foundation, which runs pantries across the Lower Keys.

How do I find emergency food assistance near me?

Dial 2-1-1 from any U.S. phone — it's free, 24/7, and connects you to a local operator who can refer you to a same-day food pantry, shelter meal, or emergency grocery box in your ZIP code. You can also search FoodCycled's directory by ZIP or use the Find Food locator at your regional food bank's website.

Do food pantries require ID?

Most U.S. food pantries do not require ID and do not verify income. A handful ask for a piece of mail showing your address, but no one is turned away in an emergency. Bring whatever you have if you can, and don't let lack of ID stop you from going.

Can seniors get grocery assistance?

Yes. Seniors 60+ can use any food pantry, plus senior-specific programs like Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals), congregate meals at senior centers, the CSFP monthly USDA food box, and SNAP — which has simplified applications and often no asset limit for older adults. Many states also have senior farmers' market nutrition vouchers.

What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?

A food bank is a regional warehouse that collects, stores, and distributes food in bulk to partner agencies. A food pantry is a local site — often a church, community center, or nonprofit — where you actually pick up groceries. For same-day food, look for a pantry. Food banks themselves usually do not serve individuals directly.

How do I apply for SNAP food stamps?

SNAP is administered by each state. Apply online at your state's benefits portal (linked from FoodCycled's state guides), by phone, or in person at a local Department of Human Services office. Expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for very low-income households; the standard timeline is 30 days.

Food Banks in South Florida: How to Find Food Assistance Near You

Feeding South Florida — the regional food bank

Feeding South Florida serves Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. It operates warehouses in Pembroke Park and Boynton Beach, runs mobile pantries, and supplies food to more than 250 partner agencies. Anyone facing food insecurity can use their Find Food map at feedingsouthflorida.org to locate a pantry by ZIP.

Food banks and pantries by county

Miami-Dade County

Feeding South Florida — Doral / Medley area distribution and partner network.
Curley's House of Style Inc. (Food4Life) — Liberty City pantry and senior meals.
Camillus House — Downtown Miami; daily meals and groceries for unhoused neighbors.
Catholic Charities of Miami — pantries in Hialeah, Little Havana, and Homestead.
Branches — Florida City and Homestead family resource centers.
Farm Share — Homestead-based; mobile pantries across South Dade.

Broward County

LifeNet4Families — Fort Lauderdale; daily hot meals and groceries.
Salvation Army Broward — Fort Lauderdale Area Command emergency pantry.
Cooperative Feeding Program / LifeNet4Families pantries — multiple Broward sites.
Pantry of Broward — serves seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren.
Jubilee Center of South Broward — Hollywood; daily meals and pantry.
Catholic Charities of Broward — pantries in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County Food Bank — Lake Worth Beach; partner pantries countywide.
CROS Ministries — pantries in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, and Belle Glade.
The Lord's Place — emergency food for unhoused families in West Palm Beach.
Boca Helping Hands — Boca Raton; daily meals and weekly grocery bags.
Caridad Center — Boynton Beach; food pantry plus medical and dental.
Glades-area pantries — Belle Glade and Pahokee through Feeding South Florida partners.

Monroe County and the Florida Keys

Star of the Sea Foundation — pantries in Key West, Big Pine Key, and Marathon.
Burton Memorial UMC Food Pantry — Tavernier / Upper Keys.
Florida Keys Outreach Coalition — Key West; food and shelter services.
Feeding South Florida Keys partners — Key Largo through Key West.

Emergency food assistance in South Florida

Dial 2-1-1 for 24/7 emergency food referrals across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. Several programs serve same-day food outside normal pantry hours:

Camillus House (Miami) and LifeNet4Families (Fort Lauderdale) serve meals daily.
Salvation Army corps across South Florida provide emergency food boxes.
Feeding South Florida mobile pantries rotate through underserved neighborhoods weekly.
Community fridges — find one in the Florida free food directory.

How to apply for SNAP in South Florida

Apply online at access.myflfamilies.com or call 1-866-762-2237.
Gather ID, Social Security numbers, pay stubs, and proof of rent/utilities.
Interview by phone with Florida DCF — expedited SNAP is available within 7 days.
Receive your Florida EBT card in the mail within 30 days.

Most major South Florida grocery chains accept SNAP/EBT, including Publix, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, Aldi, Sedano's, Presidente Supermarket, Target, and Whole Foods. Publix, Walmart, and Aldi also accept SNAP for online pickup and delivery.

Senior and family food programs

Meals on Wheels South Florida — home-delivered meals for homebound seniors.
CSFP senior food boxes — monthly USDA box for low-income adults 60+.
WIC — pregnant women, infants, and kids under 5 through Florida Department of Health.
Summer BreakSpot — free summer meals for kids 18 and under at parks and schools.

How to find food assistance by ZIP code in South Florida

Pantry coverage in South Florida varies block by block. Start with your ZIP code — a single ZIP often has three or four pantries within walking or one-bus-ride distance. Common South Florida ZIPs include 33125, 33142, 33147, 33150, 33161, 33312, 33401, 33411, 33020. Use these steps:

Search FoodCycled's directory by ZIP from the search page.
Call Switchboard of Miami 2-1-1 at 2-1-1 for a same-day pantry referral in your ZIP.
Dial 2-1-1 for 24/7 food and shelter referrals across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties.
Ask the first pantry you call about nearby sites — pantry staff usually know weekend and after-hours options that aren't online.

Emergency food resources in South Florida

If you need food today — after hours, on a weekend, or in a crisis — these South Florida programs serve same-day food with minimal paperwork:

Camillus House (Miami) — Daily meals and groceries downtown for unhoused neighbors.
LifeNet4Families (Fort Lauderdale) — Daily hot meals and emergency pantry.
The Lord's Place (West Palm Beach) — Emergency food for unhoused families.
Salvation Army corps across South Florida — Emergency food boxes in Miami, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, and Key West.
Feeding South Florida mobile pantries — Rotate through underserved neighborhoods weekly; find one at feedingsouthflorida.org.
Star of the Sea Foundation (Keys) — Daily food for Lower Keys residents in Key West, Big Pine, and Marathon.

Senior food support in South Florida

Meals on Wheels South Florida — Home-delivered meals for homebound adults 60+ across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade.
Jewish Community Services kosher meals — Kosher home-delivered meals for South Florida seniors.
Pantry of Broward — Serves seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren in Broward County.
CSFP senior food box — Monthly USDA food box for adults 60+ at low income, via Feeding South Florida partners.
Area Agency on Aging of Broward / Alliance for Aging (Miami-Dade) / Your Aging Resource Center (Palm Beach) — Local AAA offices for nutrition assessments and program referrals.

Family and children food programs in South Florida

WIC (Florida Department of Health) — Pregnant women, infants, and kids under 5; clinics in every South Florida county.
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach schools meals — Free breakfast and lunch for every student during the school year.
Summer BreakSpot — Free summer meals for kids 18 and under at South Florida parks, schools, and libraries.
Feeding South Florida Backpack Program — Weekend food bags distributed through partner schools.
Branches (Miami / Homestead) — Family resource centers with food, tax help, and youth programs.

Food pantry checklist (what to bring)

Reusable grocery bags or a sturdy box
Cooler or insulated bag if you're getting frozen or refrigerated food
Photo ID and a piece of mail with your address (helpful, not required at most pantries)
Your household size — pantry portions are based on number of people
A list of dietary needs (diabetic, low-sodium, allergies, kosher, halal)
Cash or transit pass for the trip home, especially with heavy bags
A friend or neighbor if you have mobility needs — most pantries are walk-up

Documents you may need

Most South Florida pantries don't require documents, but a few — and most SNAP, WIC, and senior nutrition programs — do. Bring whatever you have of the following:

Photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or consular ID)
Social Security numbers for everyone in your household (or a statement that you don't have them)
Proof of address (lease, utility bill, or piece of mail)
Recent pay stubs or proof of income (for SNAP, WIC, and senior nutrition)
Proof of rent or mortgage and utility costs (for SNAP)
Birth certificates and medical/immunization records for children (for WIC)
Medicare or Medicaid card if applying for senior nutrition programs
Disability documentation, if applicable

If you're missing a document, apply or visit anyway — programs can often verify your information by phone or accept a sworn statement in the meantime.

Nearby cities and regions

Related South Florida food assistance guides

National food assistance hubs

Food assistance near me — national hub: pantries, SNAP, senior, and emergency food help.
Emergency food assistance near me — same-day food, 2-1-1, and crisis programs.
Senior food assistance near me — Meals on Wheels and senior nutrition programs.
Food pantry near me — how to find a pantry, what to bring, and 24/7 emergency options.

Disclaimer: This site is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Feeding South Florida or any listed food bank, pantry, or government program. Hours, eligibility, and services change frequently — always verify details with the official source before visiting.