You Spoke. We Listened.
Every few years, we ask the people we serve how we’re doing — and we listen. In February 2026, nearly 1,000 people who visit our food pantries, mobile pantries, senior programs, school food centers, and home delivery shared their honest feedback. Here’s what you told us, and what we’re doing about it.
70% client satisfaction in 2026 — an increase of 8% since 2021.
Better Food, More Often
Since 2021, more people are telling us the perishable food (like fresh produce) and shelf-stable food (like canned and boxed goods) they receive is both higher quality and closer to the right amount.
What changed:
- Making sure we’re stocking good, quality items
- Every truckload of fresh produce is checked for quality before it goes out to a pantry or program.
- Local funding — including support from Broome, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties — has helped cover the cost of more nutritious food at pantries and school food sites.
What you’re still asking for: The foods most in demand right now are meat, eggs, dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables. We hear you and our food team is always looking for ways to keep these essential items in stock.
Understanding “Best By” Dates
A lot of the food we distribute is still perfectly good to eat well past the date printed on the package. “Best by,” “sell by,” and “use by” dates are about peak quality — not safety — for most shelf-stable and packaged foods.
Want to know if a food is still good to eat? We have a simple guide on our website to help you check: look, smell, and use common sense. If you’re ever unsure about something you received, pantry staff are happy to help you figure it out.
If You Can’t Get to a Site
We know getting to a pantry isn’t always easy. Whether it’s transportation, work hours, or site hours that don’t line up with your schedule, these barriers haven’t gone away — and we’re not going to pretend they have.
One option that can help: sending a proxy. If you can’t make it to a pantry yourself, a friend, family member, or support worker may be able to pick up food on your behalf at many locations. Ask your local pantry if this is an option for you, and what they need from you to allow it (like a note or a call ahead).
We’re continuing to work on expanding delivery options as well — if home delivery would help you, ask your local site whether it’s available in your area.
Finding More Places to Get Food
Not every pantry has what you need every time — and that’s okay. Our Food Finder tool helps you search for other food pantries, mobile pantries, and programs near you, including their hours and what they offer.
Recently updated: We’ve made changes to Food Finder to make it easier to search and to keep site information more current. If you used it before and found it confusing, it’s worth another look — or ask staff at your local pantry to help you search it in person.
Don’t have internet access? Pantry staff can help you look up other sites near you or call 2-1-1 and we can help you find options.
Thank You!
This kind of progress only happens because people like you take the time to tell us the truth about your experience — good and bad. We’re going to keep asking, keep listening, and keep working to make sure everyone who needs food can get it.
