Our Programs

Access to nutritious food is a basic income and food equity issue is essential to the quality of life of all New Yorkers. To that end we use advocacy, organizing, and coalition building grounded in solid policy and budget analysis to improve New Yorkers’ ​access to food.​

Lunch 4 Learning

In 2013, CFA launched Lunch 4 Learning to lead the effort to bring Universal Free School Lunch (USL) to all NYC public schools. USL eliminates the poverty stigma of participating in school lunch, which has plagued the program for decades. USL directly results in more children eating, leading to stronger health and wellbeing and better educational outcomes.

Youth Organizing

Youth are engaged at every level in CFA, both as staff and volunteer campaigners and leaders. Hundreds of youth participate in our Lunch 4 Learning (L4L) campaign each year to fight for universal free school lunch in all NYC public schools. They plan and implement strategies to mobilize their peers and engage supporters using social media.

Good Food Purchasing

In partnership with The Food Chain Workers Alliance, the City University of New York (CUNY) Urban Food Policy Institute, the Center for Good Food Purchasing, and local affiliated organizations, CFA is working to push NYC to adopt a good food purchasing program.

Food & Gentrification

Food access for low and moderately-incomed, low-term New York City families changes as neighborhoods develop. Zoning decisions have significant consequences for neighborhood food environments: some positive; some negative.

Summer Meals

The federal Summer Meals Program provides free breakfast and lunch to all children under the age of 19 when school is out. CFA partners with other advocates and the Department of Education’s Office of School Food to maximize participation and ensure that the program meets the needs of communities. 

Reports & Resources

Community Food Advocates conducts its own analysis on the ever-evolving issues that New Yorkers face. We pride ourselves on being a central source of information and resources.