Catskill Food Pantry

10/30/2026

Good morning, neighbors!

We’ve been blessed with perfect seasonal weather, and the colors this year are spectacular!

Our Fresh Produce of the Week is… ROQUETTE (also known as arugula or rocket) – a low-calorie source of nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. It is considered a cruciferous vegetable and is low in carbohydrates and fat. Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Western Asia, it features a distinctively pungent, nutty, and peppery taste. Widely used raw in salads, blended into pesto, or added as a topping for pizzas and pastas. All parts – including leaves, flowers, and young seed pods – are edible. The nutrients in arugula help the body’s cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive systems work properly and offer other health benefits, while boosting bone health, reducing diabetes complications, and lowering heart disease risk!

Along with roquette today’s offerings include other locally-grown produce, as well as a variety of meats and fish, plus non-meats, dairy items, bagels and breads, pastries and desserts, and an expanded selection of dry goods, baby and personal supplies – something for everyone!

Today’s pantry is provided by the Regional Food Bank, Athens Community Farm, Story Farms, Goodies Bagels, Meredith’s Meredith's Bread, and our food rescue partner, . Many thanks to Youth Clubhouse of Columbia-Greene Counties, Feed HV, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church Catskill for ongoing partner support.

Big respect and a huge THANK YOU to our amazing , who go above and beyond every week to make your pantry experience worth the trip.

A REMINDER TO OUR SHOPPERS: You must bring your own bags, otherwise we can give you a box (which might be difficult to carry), as we’re completely out of shopping bags.

We look forward to your visit today!

10/24/2026

We're in the news – with gratitude!

The money comes at a particularly challenging time, as more households are turning to the pantry for help.

10/24/2026

By Collin Bolebruch

CATSKILL — The Catskill Food Pantry is seeking monetary donations so it can beef up its inventory ahead of what is expected to be an expensive winter.

State funding secured for the pantry by State Sen. Michelle Hinchey totaling $35,000 was desperately needed, Executive Director Neva Wartell said as the senator toured the pantry Friday.

The pantry is in Saint Luke's Episcopal Church on William Street.

Hinchey was led on the pantry's "shopping experience," shown a full table of frozen meat cuts and bins of fresh produce.

"We told them you were coming," said Stuart Breslow, board of trustees chair. "That's why there's so much food here."

The room of pantry workers laughed. But it's been a harsh reality they've faced this year. The pantry has spent more in the first nine months of 2026 for 11% less food than it did in all of 2025.

"Without this grant ... the pantry would be facing an uncertain future," Wartell said.

The pantry saw more people come to its doors in November 2025 when a federal government shutdown paused Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for millions of people.

As a result, the food bank has had to reduce its footprint. It used to deliver food to homes in East Durham and Acra, but has this year reduced their service to a 10-mile radius around the pantry. It currently delivers to about 40 families.

"In recent months, every week, we have not only more and more new households coming in, but people who haven't been here in three, four years even are starting to come back," Wartell said.

Hinchey was shown a selection of bread and pastries, as well as frozen, canned and bottled items. Her tour ended with a shelf of hygiene products.

Wartell said the pantry prioritizes foods that meet different diets, foods that are fresh and a selection that meets wants as well as needs.

"(You can) actually choose what you want," Hinchey said. "That's what dignity is, right?"

When someone comes to the pantry, they're not handed a box of canned vegetables; they can scan the shelves and fridges as someone would in a grocery store.

"It really is a joyful atmosphere, and people really do feel they are respected," Breslow said. The system aims to combat stigma that comes with seeking aid.

The pantry has distributed almost 800,000 pounds of food over the last four years, and it expects to kick into another gear this winter.

The federal One Big, Beautiful Bill passed in 2025 establishes for Medicaid new work requirements and six-month renewals and limits retroactive coverage, all effective in January.

Rising energy costs and food prices will also force some people to be more selective in paying their bills this winter.

"There are major holes in the system," Wartell said.

The check presented by Hinchey's office will go a long way in keeping the pantry afloat through what is set to be months of strain. It's the first state money the shelter has received.

Donations can be made online at catskillfoodpantry.org.

"The Catskill Food Pantry is very grateful to Sen. Michelle Hinchey for her generous support in this time of immense need," Wartell said. "Food insecurity is more challenging than ever in Catskill."

State funding secured for the pantry by State Sen. Michell Hinchey totaling $35,000 was desperately needed, Executive Director Neva Wartell said.

10/23/2026

Happy Friday, good people!

It’s a chilly but truly glorious day – perfect weather for our Fresh Produce of the Week: BUTTERNUT SQUASH!!! Although technically a fruit (specifically, a berry!), butternut squash is used in cooking as a vegetable. It can be roasted, sautéed, puréed for soups, or mashed to be used in casseroles, breads, muffins, and pies. With a sweet, nutty taste, it belongs to the same squash family as pumpkin, calabaza, kabocha and others. When ripe and ready to be eaten, the “meat” of the squash turns a deep orange, due to its rich content of beta-carotene (a compound of vitamin A) as well as some vitamin C, plus important minerals and fiber.

Along with the squash, today’s produce includes potatoes and other tubers and roots like radishes, turnips, and beets galore – plus greens, tomatoes and peppers, oranges and more. We’ve got a variety of meats and fish, plus non-meats, bagels, sweets, and an expanded selection of dry goods, baby and personal supplies – something for everyone!

Today’s pantry is provided by the Regional Food Bank in Latham, Athens Community Farm, East Durham Farms, Goodies Bagels in Catskill, Meredith’s Meredith's Bread in Kingston, and our friends at The Salvation Army Hudson. Thanks to Youth Clubhouse of Columbia-Greene Counties, Feed HV, St. Luke's Episcopal Church Catskill, and the Greene County Food Security Coalition for ongoing partner support; and deepest gratitude to our incredible , who provide service with heart and soul.

A reminder to our shoppers: You MUST bring your own bags – otherwise we can give you a box (which might be difficult to carry), as we’re completely out of shopping bags.

We look forward to your visit today!

10/19/2026

Food inflation, gas prices and cuts to federal benefits have created a “perfect storm” for food pantries, which have become vital parts of the family budget for millions of Americans.

10/16/2026

Greetings, neighbors!

The weather may be dismal and wet, but we’ll shower you with sunny smiles when you shop at our pantry.

Our Featured Produce of the Week is SWEET POTATOES! While often called “yams” (in North America), sweet potatoes are actually a completely different species from both yams and white potatoes. These vibrant tubers are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and offer a wide array of health benefits – from boosting your immune system and fighting cancer to supporting your gut, heart, and eyes. Though often enjoyed during the holidays, sweet potatoes are a versatile and delicious addition to any meal year-round. Enjoy them boiled, baked, steamed, or even oven-fried for a nutritious and satisfying side dish.

Along with sweet potatoes, our produce section today includes red-jacket and white potatoes, as well as other tubers and roots like radishes, turnips, beets and more, plus salad greens, onions, tomatoes and peppers, local apples and more. We’ve got meats and fish as well as non-meat (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free) options; heat-and-eat meals; dairy items; non-perishable foods; beverages, snacks and condiments, bagels and breads, and desserts galore in our bakery section!

Today’s pantry is provided by the Regional Food Bank in Latham, Athens Community Farm, East Durham Farms, Goodies Bagels in Catskill, Meredith’s Meredith's Bread in Kingston, and our food donation partner, Alltown Fresh in Livingston. Big up to Youth Clubhouse of Columbia-Greene Counties, Feed HV, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church Catskill for ongoing partner support.

And a round of applause, please, for our incredible , who are here to help.

We welcome newcomers! Here are the basics:
• Please keep the parking lot clear for church business until 11am;
• We start giving out numbers at 12pm to reserve your place on the line, and shopping starts at 1pm;
• To ensure that there’s enough for everyone, we ask that you take only what your household needs for the week ahead (you can always come back next week);
• Feel free to ask questions – our volunteers are here to assist;
• Bring your own shopping bags! (If you don’t have bags we can give you a box).

We look forward to your visit!

10/09/2026

Greetings, neighbors!

This is peak foliage time in the Hudson Valley and Northern Catskills. We are so lucky to live here!

Our Featured Produce of the Week is… EGGPLANT! Cultivated and enjoyed around the world, eggplant (aka aubergine) belongs to the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes and potatoes. It’s easily recognized by its deep purple color and glossy skin, although some varieties can be white, green, or striped. Packed with fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins, eggplant offers benefits that go far beyond the plate – from supporting heart health and digestion to potentially reducing blood sugar levels. And the best part? It’s affordable, easy to cook, and pairs beautifully with local spices and ingredients. Eggplant can be prepared in many ways, including roasting, grilling, baking, and frying.

Today our produce section is once again piled high with seasonal vegetables and citrus fruits. We also offer a variety of meats and fish, dairy products, grab-and-go meals, and shelf-stable foods, condiments, bakery items and snacks.

This week’s pantry is provided by the Regional Food Bank in Latham, Athens Community Farm and East Durham Farms, as well as Goodies Bagels (Catskill), Meredith's Bread (Kingston) and our food donation partner, Alltown Fresh (Livingston). Much respect to Youth Clubhouse of Columbia-Greene Counties, Feed HV, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Catskill for ongoing partner support. And we are so blessed to have a corps of who go the extra mile to provide service with a smile!

A quick reminder to our shoppers: Please think of others and take only what your household needs for the week ahead… and YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN BAGS – we can provide you with a box, but we are completely out of bags.

We look forward to your visit!

10/02/2026

Good morning, neighbors!

Our Fresh Produce of the Week is CABBAGE! A cruciferous vegetable closely related to kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, its name comes from the French word caboche (head). The plant’s ability to retain moisture in its leaves has allowed it to grow in cold, harsh climates. In the Middle Ages, cabbage was one of the most commonly eaten foods by Europeans; it was also one of the first crops grown by English colonists in the Americas. Not only does cabbage lend itself to dozens of amazing recipes, but it is also packed with nutrients and vitamins that have outstanding health benefits. Incorporating more of this superfood into your diet can boost your immunity, improve digestion, strengthen your bones, improve your heart health, ease inflammation, and even boost concentration!

In case you feel a soup coming on: To go with the cabbage we’ve got potatoes, beets and onions, plus peppers and eggplants. We also offer a choice of meats and fish, dairy products, snacks, breads and desserts, plus our usual selection of grocery items, baby care and personal supplies.

Today’s pantry is provided by the Regional Food Bank (Latham), Goodies Bagels (Catskill), Story Farms and Athens Community Farm, plus our food rescue partner, Alltown Fresh (Livingston). We are grateful for the ongoing support of Youth Clubhouse of Columbia-Greene Counties, Feed HV, St. Luke's Episcopal Church Catskill and our , who are pure gold!

A QUICK NOTE TO OUR SHOPPERS: Food is in short supply these days. Please think of others and take only what your household needs for the week ahead. Also… BRING YOUR OWN BAGS!!! We are completely out of both bags AND boxes this week.

We look forward to your visit!

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

Good morning, neighbors!

It’s a perfect Autumn day – and a great time to prepare for soup season.

Our Fresh Produce of the Week is…CARROTS!!! These crunchy, sweet root vegetables are found in many colors, including yellow, white, orange, red, and purple. Carrots are a particularly good source of beta-carotene (which your body converts to vitamin A), fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants – plus, they’re low in calories. Eating carrots may support eye health, help lower blood cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Carrots are a versatile and healthy addition to many dishes, often roasted with other root vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, and beets for a flavorful side. They can be prepared in numerous ways, from soups to salads, though roasting brings out their natural sugars.

Perfect for pairing with carrots today we’ve got potatoes and onions, plus portobello mushrooms, bok choy, squash, salad greens and even MORE veggies! For fruits we’ve got red plums, apples, oranges, limes and pineapples! We also offer a choice of meats and fish, and a nice selection of dairy and dairy-free products, breads and desserts, plus our usual selection of grocery items, baby care and personal supplies – something for everyone!

Today’s pantry is provided by the Regional Food Bank (Latham), Goodies Bagels (Catskill), Athens Community Farm, Nimble Roots Farm, The Lo Farm, and East Durham Farms, as well as our food rescue partners, Alltown Fresh (Livingston) and Meredith's Bread (Kingston). We also had an amazing windfall this week from Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp (Copake), where we helped them close out their kitchen for the season. We are so fortunate to have the ongoing support of Youth Clubhouse of Columbia-Greene Counties, Feed HV, St. Luke's Episcopal Church Catskill and our , who are, literally, the backbone of our pantry.

As always, a quick reminder to our shoppers: Please think of others and take only what your household needs for the week ahead… and BRING YOUR OWN BAGS – otherwise we can give you a box.

We look forward to your visit!