COVID-19 Food Donation Process
We are so grateful for the food donated by the communities we serve and from businesses, organizations, and houses of worship who host food drives and collections year-round.
Social distancing guidelines require CFA to make changes in our food donation process. Because we do not have the space for lots of volunteers to date, sort, and stock large amounts of food donations at many of our facilities, we ask that all food donations be dropped off at our Mahwah, NJ location. CFA Mahwah will process and sort food donations and distribute them throughout the CFA network of pantries.
Food donations are accepted Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm at CFA Mahwah, located at 90 Ridge Road in Mahwah.
We look forward to the time when we can accept your donations at all of our locations until then, thank you for your patience and understanding.
Food Donations
We welcome your in-kind donations of food items. This is the most direct way you can help your neighbors in northern New Jersey. Annually, CFA collects and distributes more than $5,000,000 worth of food. Food donations come from all sectors of the community, including: individuals, religious organizations, schools, scouts, civic associations, corporations and local businesses and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Donation Guidelines
To maximize the impact of your food donations, please follow these guidelines:
Preferred Foods
Canned, jarred and boxed non-perishable items are desirable due to their long shelf life, however, we do accept donations of fresh produce. High-protein items are preferred as they provide better nutritional value. Please make sure that cans are not rusted, creased or bloated as we may have to discard them for food safety reasons. We also cannot accept opened food items.
Supermarket Gift Cards
If you prefer you can donate Supermarket Gift Cards to us. These allow us to purchase essential or urgently needed food items. Please give gifts cards directly to a CFA employee.
Delivering Donations to Us
For local supporters, if your food donation exceeds what can fit in your car, please schedule a pick-up with Irwin Vogelman: ivogelman@cfanj.org | 201.321.3142. Residential pick-ups from private homes or apartments are not available.
To drop off the items you’ve collected please visit a CFA location near you during their hours of operation. Click here for site locations.
Acknowledgement
When dropping off your donation, please be sure to sign our “book of food donations” so that we can acknowledge your generosity.
Our Most Needed Items
Whether you plan to organize a food drive or want to individually donate food to us, here is the list of our most needed items.
Supermarket Gift Cards
Canned Meat (tuna, chicken, etc.)
Canned Hearty Soups
Canned Vegetables
Macaroni & Cheese
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Tomato Sauce
Cold Cereal (low sugar) and Oatmeal
Powdered Milk and/or Boxed Milk, such as Parmalat
Canned Fruits
Instant Potatoes
100% Juice
Baby Formula & Diapers sizes 4, 5 & 6
Bar or Bottled Soap
Toothpaste, Toothbrush & Dental Floss
