Philadelphia is a city of food deserts and food insecurity. According to Axios “the childhood food insecurity rate in Philly proper hit 30.5% in 2023, up from roughly 24% in 2019, per Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap report published last week.”
Food insecurity is defined as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” by the Office of Health and Disease Prevention.
This issue is present throughout low-income families and neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.
Recently the Philadelphia government has published an interactive map with more than 300 free food and meal distribution sites. These sites are defined as food sites, general meal sites, older meal sites, student meal sites, and food assistance benefits – meaning there is something for everyone!
Noticeably on this map, there are little to no distribution sites in affluent neighborhoods like Fairmount, Queens Village, and Packer Park. There are other interesting details provided by this map – notably that the Office of Homeless Services operates more than 10 free food giveaways between City Hall and Logan Circle – with food available daily.
The groups listed in the interactive map range from government agencies to religious groups to mutual aid groups and beyond. Some food distribution sites will have lines and involve conversing, the others are stand alone community fridges that require no interaction with the outside world.
American culture looks down on the have-nots, and there is a subconscious shame felt by those of us who need help in our day to day lives. If you are hungry, ignore that shame and take advantage of the free food programs throughout the city. There is no shame in needing help from time to time, food is a necessity and you deserve it.
Find the free food distribution site that works best for you here.
Philly Plain Dealer 
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