Your Choice Pantry

More than just a food distribution center – a warm, welcoming space where guests can select their own groceries

At the Lunch Break Your Choice Pantry, we believe everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and the dignity of choice. Our pantry is more than just a food distribution center; it’s a warm, welcoming space where guests can select their groceries, just like in a traditional market. Guests can either shop in the pantry or request grab-and-go bags, which include a choice of protein.

Empowering Choice

Step into our pantry, and you’ll find a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and proteins. We understand that dietary needs and preferences vary, so we’ve organized our pantry to cater to a diverse range of tastes and nutritional requirements, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-sodium options.

Fresh and Nutritious Offerings

We’re proud to offer a selection dominated by fresh produce and high-quality staples, sourced from local farms and businesses. Our partnerships with local growers ensure a constant supply of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, ensuring that our guests have access to food that’s not just filling, but also nourishing and delicious.

Shopping with Dignity

Our unique “shopper’s choice” model allows guests to select their own food, ensuring they take home what they need and will use, reducing waste and promoting a sense of dignity and normalcy. Our friendly volunteers are always on hand to assist with selections and provide nutritional information, making every visit a warm and personal experience.

Holiday Food

Our food bank spreads holiday cheer by distributing festive food during Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, to ensure that everyone can enjoy a joyful holiday meal.

Pantry Gallery

Your Choice Pantry | Location and Hours

121 Drs. James Parker Boulevard, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Your Choice Pantry 10am – 2:45pm 10am – 2:45pm 10am – 6pm 10am – 2:45pm 10am – 2:45pm 9am – 12pm Closed

Your Choice Pantry Requirements For Shopping

Guests must certify that they are eligible to receive food at the Emergency Food Pantry by verbally indicating which of these qualifying reasons apply to them:

Qualifying Reasons

  • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – Social Services Program)
  • SNAP (Food Stamps) (Ran out, Lost, Stolen, Not Received)
  • SSI (Supplemental Social Security, NOT SOCIAL SECURITY)
  • MEDICAID
  • LOW INCOME (185% of poverty) SELF DECLARATION
  • WIC (Women, Infants and Children) The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
  • DISASTER (Other – can be divorce, domestic violence, unusual expense, loss of employment, etc.)

When Receiving Food From the Pantry Clients Must Certify the Following:

  • I am accepting a charitable donation of food from the Emergency Food Pantry. I hereby relinquish the food Pantry of all liability of any nature whatsoever and accept the food products “as is” at my own risk.
  • I certify that my total yearly gross household income is at or below 185% of the poverty level, OR that my household participates in the program(s) that I have checked on the Emergency Food Registration Form. I will also notify the Pantry, if there are changes to my income or qualifiers which may cause me to become ineligible for the TEFAP foods

Your Choice Pantry Forms

Emergency Food Registration Intake Form

Your Choice Pantry Shopping Guidelines

  • Individuals and Families can shop in the pantry ONCE per week (1 time per week, per household or individual).
  • Please bring your own shopping bags.
  • Please remember to enter the building through the front door ONLY.
  • Please remain in the lobby until your name is called.
  • Please follow the quantity guidelines posted on the shelf signs.
  • A pantry volunteer will accompany you and assist with shopping.
  • Please be kind to our volunteers. They are here to help.
  • Exit the building through the back pantry door ONLY.
  • Please return the empty shopping cart to the designated cart corral in the back of the building.
Shopping Guidelines

Urgently Needed Items

Food

Whenever possible, please select low sodium and low sugar items when choosing your non-perishable food donations.

  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal in individual packets
  • Apple Sauce
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Beans: black, kidney, baked, cannellini, pinto
  • Canned Soup: chicken, vegetable, tomato
  • Canned Meals: spaghetti, ravioli, chili
  • Canned Chicken
  • Canned Tuna
  • Pasta (any shape, not spaghetti)
  • Canned Corn, Peas & Carrots
  • Peanut Butter
  • Shelf Stable Almond or Oat Milk (unflavored, unsweetened)

Toiletries & Supplies

  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Body Wash
  • Dish Soap (smaller sizes)
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Baby Diapers (sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
  • Baby Wipes
  • Adult Diapers (women sizes L, XL, XXL)

What We Cannot Accept

  • Cans of food that are badly dented, leaking or stained
  • Food that is past the published USDA guidelines for being safe to eat
  • Baby food/formula past expiration date
  • Food that is not in sealed packaging
  • Food that is not labeled
  • Eggs from chickens at your home
  • For us to accept prepared food, it must be prepared in a licensed, commercial kitchen
  • Food with a high sugar content such as candy or soda

For More information, please contact:

Pantry Supervisor Beth Sherrard at bsherrard@lunchbreak.org or (732) 747-8577, Ext. 3109

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