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Find Free Food In CarteretLemontree makes it easy to find the best food pantries near you. Browse our directory, or sign up for personalized assistance & helpful tools. Our team of specialists can answer any question!
  1. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    St Joseph's Food Pantry

    33 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    0.37 mi


    Info

    -Nonperishable, fresh and frozen food items are available to Carteret residents in need. Proof of residency is required.

    • School supplies may be available during distribution dates for the food pantry. This is although not given
    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Proof of address required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Sat, May 23rd (in 2 weeks)

      8:00 am–11:00 am

    • Sat, June 27th (next month)

      8:00 am–11:00 am

    • Sat, July 25th (in 2 months)

      8:00 am–11:00 am

    • 8:00 am–11:00 am

      every month on the 4th Saturday

    Map of St Joseph's Food Pantry

    Location

    55 High St

    Carteret, NJ 07008

    directions

    Contact

    (732) 541-8946

    https://sjps.net/food-pantry

    Is this your food pantry?Claim it!
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  3. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    3 reviews

    Unclaimed

    30 minutes

    average wait time

    0.49 mi


    Info

    60 and over is welcome. Round-trip transportation is available to all sites. Home-delivered meals are available for the mobility-impaired. Suggested Meal Donation: In-person: $2.25; Home Delivered: $2.75. More program details available at the end of this document or contact Middlesex County Senior Meal Program at 732-745-2062.

    • Requirements

      • Seniors only
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Today

      8:30 am–12:30 pm

    • Tomorrow

      8:30 am–12:30 pm

    • This Wednesday

      8:30 am–12:30 pm

    • 8:30 am–12:30 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

  4. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    2 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    1.58 mi


    Info

    A registration form must be filled out. You will be required to show ID and a proof of income (driver license, social security card, pay stub). Non-perishable food is available for Port Reading and Sewaren residents.

    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Wed, May 20th (in 2 weeks)

      10:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Wed, June 17th (next month)

      10:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Wed, July 15th (in 2 months)

      10:00 am–12:00 pm

    • 10:00 am–12:00 pm

      every month on the 3rd Wednesday

  5. How do I get food?

    You can receive food by visiting the food pantry or soup kitchen when it’s open. Make sure to check each resource page to see details like address, full schedule, and requirements.

  6. Can someone deliver the food to my house?

    Delivery services are very limited and are reserved for senior citizens or those with serious medical problems. If you believe you fall into either category, let us know and we may be able to help you find options in Carteret.

  7. What do I have to bring?

    Every location is different! Please review the details included on each resource to see whether you need to bring any documentation like ID or proof of address, or supplies like bags to carry the food. If you don’t see any information on the resource, you don’t have to bring anything!

  8. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    20 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    2.6 mi


    Info

    Emergency groceries SFPP and T.E.F.A.P. commodities are provided to all residents in need. To receive T.E.F.A.P. food, proof of residency, address, social services information and ID card are required. Proper notification is also required. Food is given to registered adults only. Families are welcome, but food is only distributed to adults.

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a month
      • ID required
      • Proof of address required
      • Proof of household income required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Today

      Food pantry (groceries): 9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Mon, May 11th (next week)

      Food pantry (groceries): 9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Mon, June 1st (in 4 weeks)

      Food pantry (groceries): 9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Food pantry (groceries): 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every month on the 1st Monday

    • Food pantry (groceries): 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every month on the 2nd Monday

  9. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    25 reviews

    Claimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    0.23 mi


    Info

    The next food pantry is on February 28, 2026 from 11:00 am -1:00 pm.

    The food pantry is on the last Saturday of every OTHER month. Except for months with major holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas where it is the Saturday before the holiday.

    All clients must present a valid picture ID and show proof of address

    All clients must register with Plentiful by either of the following methods:

    *1. Downloading the Plentiful App from the App Store and signing up

    *2. Registering on the website https://app.plentifulapp.com/

    *3. Texting the word FOOD to 726879

    Please show your QR code by opening up your profile in the Plentiful App to be served.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Sat, May 30th (in 3 weeks)

      Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • Sat, June 27th (next month)

      Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • Sat, July 25th (in 2 months)

      Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am–1:00 pm

      every month on the last Saturday

  10. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    0 reviews

    Unclaimed

    no ratings yet

    2.6 mi


    Info

    1. , First & Second Monday every month 9:00am to 11:00am
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Today

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Mon, May 11th (next week)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Mon, June 1st (in 4 weeks)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every month on the 1st Monday

    • 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every month on the 2nd Monday

  11. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    87 reviews

    Unclaimed

    20 minutes

    average wait time

    2.5 mi


    Info

    Only serve Rahway residents Closed during adverse weather

    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Diapers/baby essentials may be available

    Schedule

    • This Wednesday

      9:30 am–12:00 pm

    • Wed, May 13th (next week)

      9:30 am–12:00 pm

    • Wed, May 20th (in 2 weeks)

      9:30 am–12:00 pm

    • 9:30 am–12:00 pm

      every week on Wednesday

  12. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    21 reviews

    Unclaimed

    5 minutes

    average wait time

    3.4 mi


    Info

    Serves woodbridge residents only

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a month
      • ID required
      • Proof of address required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • This Wednesday

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • This Thursday

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every week on Wednesday, Thursday

    • 5:30 pm–7:00 pm

      every week on Thursday

    • 11:00 am–1:00 pm

      every week on Tuesday

  13. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    17 reviews

    Unclaimed

    5 minutes

    average wait time

    2.79 mi


    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
      • Drive-thru only
      • Registration required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Sat, May 16th (next week)

      9:30 am–12:00 pm

    • Sat, June 20th (next month)

      9:30 am–12:00 pm

    • Sat, July 18th (in 2 months)

      9:30 am–12:00 pm

    • 9:30 am–12:00 pm

      every month on the 3rd Saturday

  14. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    7 reviews

    Unclaimed

    average user rating

    3.05 mi


    Info

    Serves 07095 zipcode only. Must live within a 5 mile radius

    Foods, paper goods available upon request. Recipients are limited to once a month and must complete a registration form with proper identification. All recipients must provide a photo ID with their current address listed on it. Donations of all foods are accepted. Frozen foods, fresh fruit & vegetables, dairy goods and meats can be accepted with a few hours’ notice. We have freezers, and storage facilities available.

    If you misss distribution on the first Thursday of the month call Delores to set up an appointment (732-501-7972)

    Supplemental governmental help proof is required (Disability, WIC, or Social Security)

    On-site registration required

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a month
      • ID required
      • Proof of address required
      • Call in advance for services
      • Registration required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • This Thursday

      12:30 pm–5:30 pm

    • Thu, June 4th (next month)

      12:30 pm–5:30 pm

    • Thu, July 2nd (in 2 months)

      12:30 pm–5:30 pm

    • 12:30 pm–5:30 pm

      every month on the 1st Thursday

  15. Do I need an appointment?

    Every location is different! Some places in Carteret accept appointments, some require it, and others allow walk-ins. Please review all details on the resource page to understand how you should prepare for your visit.

  16. What kind of food do they have?

    Food pantries offer grocery-style items such as canned food, fresh produce, and dry goods like pasta or rice that you can cook yourself. Soup kitchens offer ready-to-eat items like hot meals or sandwiches. All of these locations may have different options on different days, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

  17. Do they have vegetables?

    Pantries may have different options at different times, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day. Most pantries in Carteret do give out some form of vegetables, but they may be canned items.

  18. Do they have meat?

    Pantries may have different options on different days, so it’s hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

  19. Any pantries open today?

    If you’ve signed up for personalized assistance through our text message helpline, please take a look at the links we’ve sent you! If none of the resources we’ve sent are open today, let us know and we can search for additional options. Here’s a list of everything in Carteret that’s open today: Thomas J. Deverin Community Center, First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, First Presbyterian Church

  20. Where are you located?

    Because our work is mostly virtual, the Lemontree team works remotely, and we don’t have an office in Carteret for in-person visits. You can always reach us by texting 90847 or on WhatsApp between 10am-6pm, every day of the week.

  21. Can I get a reminder before my visit?

    Yes! Tap the bell icon on any resource page to set a reminder via text or WhatsApp before it opens, so you don’t forget your visit.

  22. Can I build a weekly food schedule?

    Yes — you can use Lemontree to build a calendar of upcoming pantry visits in Carteret for the week, so you always know where to go and when. It’s a great way to plan ahead and make sure you have food throughout the week.

  23. How do I get help from a real person?

    You can text our helpline at 90847 or reach us on WhatsApp between 10am–6pm, every day of the week. A real person will help you find food in Carteret, answer questions, and connect you with the right resources.