Free or discounted food and Meals on Wheels for Senior Citizens in Philadelphia
Food benefit programs in Philadelphia

Meals delivered to my home

If you struggle with cooking or shopping, there are 7 organizations to help below.

Low-cost grocery stores in Philadelphia

Free or low-cost groceries

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important ways to stay healthy!

Free food near me in Philadelphia

How to get free boxes of food

Learn about Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for free monthly boxes.

Meals on Wheels for Senior Citizens

Eating fruits and vegetables every day can be hard on our wallets. Fortunately, there are many programs that offer free and low-cost fresh produce throughout Philadelphia. Keep reading to learn more about these farmer's market programs!

It can be difficult for older adults to find healthy, affordable food. This guide from the City (also available in Spanish) contains information about food resources in Philadelphia.

Meals in Philadelphia catered to senior citizens

How can I get meals delivered to my home?

If you struggle with cooking or shopping, PCA and other local organizations can deliver meals (often called Meals on Wheels) to your home. The information below can help you find the service that is right for you. 

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA)

If you are eligible for other PCA services, you may qualify for home delivered meals. The assessment worker who conducts your care assessment will determine if you are eligible.

Phone: 215-765-9040

Service areas: City-wide

Cost: Free

MANNA

MANNA serves all ages and provides a frozen meal service for people with serious medical conditions with nutritional concerns.

Phone: 1-866-626-6209 

Service areas: City-wide & surrounding counties

Cost: Free

Aid for Friends

Clients must be home-bound and isolated to be eligible for Aid for Friends.

Phone: 215-464-2224

Service areas: City-wide

Cost: Free

Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels

Some financial assistance available.

Phone: 215-233-5555 

Service areas: Germantown, Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, parts of Springfield Township

Cost: $7/day, $35/week

Klein-JCC’s Home-Delivered Meals

Delivers Mon-Friday. Clients may receive meals on any number of weekdays. Some financial assistance available. Accepts SNAP.

Phone: 215-698-7300 x197

Service areas: Northeast Philadelphia, Eastern Montgomery County, Lower Bucks County, Center City, South Philadelphia

Cost: Cook for a friend: $2 per meal contribution; Catered: $5 per meal

HomeLink's Meals on Wheels North and Northeast

Delivers kosher meals to people who are homebound.

Phone: 267-682-1026

Service areas: Specific zip codes in Northwest, South, West, and North Philadelphia

Cost: $5 per meal

Northeast Meals on Wheels

Phone: 215-745-9066

Service areas: Lower Northeast Philadelphia

Cost: $40 per week

21st Ward Meals on Wheels

Phone: 215-482-0249

Service areas: Roxborough, Manyunk, Wissahickon

Cost: $25 per week

How can I get groceries delivered to my home?

SuperFresh, Fresh Grocer, ShopRite, Fine Fare, Shop n Bag, and several other grocery chains in Philadelphia offer grocery delivery services for free, a small fee, or a minimum purchase requirement. To find out if this service is available near you, call 311 or ask a cashier at your local store. Most major grocers also accept SNAP.

How can I get free boxes of food?

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides free monthly boxes for limited-income adults 60 & older. To find a site near you, call WhyHunger’s Food Help Line at 1-800-548-6479 or text your zip code to 1-800-548-6479.

Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) delivers boxes of free, Kosher, non-perishable food and produce once a month throughout Philadelphia and surrounding counties regardless of age or religious affiliation. For locations, call 610-660-0190.

Food pantries across the city offer free boxes of non-perishable food. To find a pantry, visit the Philly Food Finder map or call the Coalition Against Hunger at 215-430-0556.

How can I save on fresh fruits and vegetables?

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important ways to stay healthy as you age. The following programs can help you save money on fresh produce.

Philly Food Bucks

Over 25 farmers’ markets in Philadelphia accept SNAP (Food Stamps) and offer Philly Food Bucks. For every $5 in SNAP spent at these markets, customers receive a $2 Philly Food Bucks coupon to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables. Use the Food Finder map to find farmers’ markets, and look for ‘Accepts Philly Food Bucks’ on each green pin.

Senior Farmers' Market Coupons (SFMNP)

The Senior’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program offers $20 vouchers for low-income Philadelphians 60 and older every summer. The vouchers may be picked up at senior centers and the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. Vouchers may be used from June to November 30th and can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information, call the PCA HelpLine at 215-765-9040 or check out their website for program requirements and other resources or find out more at benefits.gov.

How can I save money on groceries?

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important ways to stay healthy as you age. The following programs can help you save money on fresh produce.

Share Food Program Discounted Groceries

Share Food Program is a nonprofit organization that distributes discounted groceries to Philadelphians who show proof of community service. The program offers packages of discounted produce, meats, and other foods. You can order menu items and pick up your package monthly at a host site, which includes some senior centers. To find a host site, visit the Share Food Host locator or explore the Philly Food Finder map and select ‘Share Host Sites’.

Share Food Program warehouse boxes of food

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps people pay for groceries. People enrolled in SNAP receive a card that works like a debit card. Eligibility depends on income, expenses, assets, and household size.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services is now offering an Elderly Simplified Application Process. Households who meet income guidelines, and whose members are all seniors (age 60+) or SSI/SSD recipients, and who have no earned income (besides Social Security), can now use a 2-page SNAP application, and are required to renew just once every three years. Call 215-430-0556 for more information!

The average monthly benefit for Philadelphians age 60 and older is around $100. Seniors and individuals receiving disability (SSI/SSD) can also count their medical expenses, including co-pays, transportation to appointments, and other out-of-pocket medical costs. Call these numbers to find out if you are eligible for SNAP and for help with the application:

SNAP Hotline: 215-430-0556

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger can help you apply for SNAP over the phone and help resolve problems with your case.

BenePhilly: 1-800-236-2194

BenePhilly is an enrollment center than can help you apply for multiple public benefits, including SNAP, over the phone.

You can also apply for SNAP in person at your County Assistance Office, or online by visiting compass.state.pa. To find your local office, call the SNAP Hotline: 215-430-0556.

Iovine Brothers Produce Market

This market offers a 10% discount to senior citizens. It is located in the southeast corner of Reading Terminal Market, near the corner of 11th & Filbert Street.

Community Gardens

There are also community gardens throughout the city where you can grow, purchase, or share food with your neighbors. Learn more about Neighborhood Gardens Trust at GroundedInPhilly.org.

How can I eat congregate meals in my neighborhood?

As of right now, we recommend social distancing until the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over. Typically, however, Senior centers connected to Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) offer free healthy lunchtime meals for seniors 60 and older. There is no income requirement. Visit the map on this website to find a senior meal site near you, or call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.

As a senior, how can I volunteer in my community?

Interested in learning more about food resources for seniors, including SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits?

Contact the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger at 215-430-0555 to schedule a presentation for your seniors or your staff.

SNAP

Click for more about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamps.

WIC

Click for more about the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Wondering what kind of help you can get?