New York City is testing a new way to fight food insecurity, and it looks nothing like the corner bodega or a traditional pantry line.
According to EcoNews, a nonprofit in the Bronx has rolled out one of the city’s first fresh-food vending machines, offering groceries at no cost to families who need them.
The machine was installed late last month at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club youth center in Castle Hill. Instead of candy bars or soda, the shelves are stocked with everyday essentials: fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other nutritious staples. Anyone who walks in can take what they need—no payment, no paperwork, no questions asked.
The project is run by Change Food For Good, a New York–based nonprofit focused on expanding access to healthy food. The vending machine is part of its Good Food For All program, which aims to remove common barriers that often come with traditional food assistance.
“The Good Food for All free food vending machine has been really well received by community members,” founder Samia Lemfadli said in a statement to Newsweek. “Everyone’s been really excited to try out the machine.”
One item has turned out to be a surprise favorite. Lemfadli noted that users were especially impressed by the machine's ability to dispense eggs without breaking them, thanks to careful packaging and hand-loading.
Other items are packed with similar attention, including vacuum-sealed garlic designed to keep odors from spreading.
The machine is typically restocked once or twice a month. Users can also scan a QR code on-site to request specific items they’d like to see added in the future, feedback that has already influenced what’s inside. Cream cheese, for example, was added after repeated requests.
Change Food For Good chose a vending machine format instead of an open refrigerator to prevent tampering and to better understand which foods are in the highest demand. At the moment, there are no limits on how many items someone can take. While the organization has discussed a possible scan-card system down the line, Lemfadli has expressed caution.
“One of the main goals of the Good Food For All program is to ensure that individuals, even if they’re struggling, still have their dignity and agency preserved in their food choices,” she said in an Instagram video.
Change Food For Good hopes these fresh-food vending machines will serve as a blueprint for expansion, with future installations planned for schools, hospitals, and other community spaces across the city.