ESD announces completion of Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers' food pantry expansion

Facing difficult space limitations, renovated facility allows for expanded services & food storage capacity to help ensure no Buffalonian goes hungry

Empire State Development Press Release & Photos

Empire State Development (ESD) announced the completion of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers’ (BFNC) expanded food pantry on Buffalo’s East Side. The $125,000 expansion project addresses the nonprofit’s space constraints, enabling it to strengthen and grow its food pantry program – and build brighter futures for Buffalonians of all ages experiencing food insecurity. The project was supported with a $62,500 capital grant from the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC).

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “With everyone facing increasingly higher food costs, I’m proud of Gov. Hochul’s efforts to ensure families have access to the healthy, nutritious food they need to thrive. BFNC’s new food pantry will allow it to double the number of families it serves each month. This is just one example of a small REDC project that will have a big impact on the community.”

The BFNC Neighborhood House is located at 76 Orange St., in the historic Fruit Belt neighborhood. From this location, the organization operates a food pantry in a converted conference room space. The poverty rate in the ZIP code of the BFNC main office is 32.6%, and 43% of residents rely on SNAP benefits.

The previous capacity of the food pantry limited the number of people who can be served to 150 monthly, which is less than 4% of local need for food assistance. The expanded footprint of the food pantry will allow BFNC to have sufficient storage to feed more than 300 households monthly.

Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers CEO Chandra Redfern said, “The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers is energized by the ability to serve additional members of the Buffalo community at the BFNC Community Food Share. Our food pantry and other community services have shown the growing need to fill the gaps of food insecurity in our community. We are thankful to ESD for the opportunity to expand the size of our community pantry.”

The project included demolition of one wall to expand the footprint of the pantry; repair and replacing of drywall; installing a new door; updating interior lighting; new smoke/CO detectors; replacing flooring; and painting. The project also includes new refrigeration units to more than double capacity and provide perishable foods, such as meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and dairy to residents in the community. Providing these expensive perishable items helps ensure low-income households will have greater opportunity for nutritious meals.

BFNC is just one of the partners in New York’s efforts to combat hunger and fight food insecurity. There is a large array of programs implemented by New York state to build a more resilient food system. New York continues to support several groundbreaking programs that focus on improving access to locally grown foods through its 2025 budget with a number of programs and initiatives, including the enhanced FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative, the farmers’ market nutrition programs, and the recently announced increased benefit for WIC participants, and the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grants Programs.

Learn about the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ programs and initiatives focused on providing new markets for farmers, increasing food access to underserved communities, and building healthier communities. More information about BFNC’s food pantry can be found at https://bfnc.org/program/food-pantry/.

WNYREDC co-chairs, Campus Labs Co-Founder Eric Reich and Canisius College President Steve Stoute, said, “The REDC is proud to have played a role in making the new food pantry a success. It will enhance BFNC’s capacity and strengthen its ability to provide critical support to Buffalonians facing hunger and food insecurity. We applaud the work of BFNC. They touch lives every day in our community and are often the difference between having something to eat or going hungry.”

State Sen. April N. M. Baskin said, "Consistent access to nutritious food is denied to so many residents of our community, with a high percentage in the historic Fruit Belt. I commend Gov. Hochul and the WNYREDC for their insight and support to combat food insecurity at a time when costs continue to rise and programs are being cut. This expansion will help lessen the stress and burden of the people facing food insecurity, and keep this vital safety net in place."

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “Food insecurity and scarcity of fresh foods continues to be a problem in our East Side Buffalo community. Fortunately, there are community members and organizations like BNFC who are fighting to right this wrong. Expanding BNFC’s capacity to serve our community will have an immediate impact.”

City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “The newly expanded BFNC food pantry is more than just a building upgrade – it’s a lifeline for hundreds of families on Buffalo’s East Side. This project reflects our shared commitment to meeting people where they are and ensuring every resident has access to the resources they need to thrive. I want to thank BFNC, Empire State Development, and our partners in government for their commitment to strengthening food access in our community.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “The expansion of the BFNC food pantry means that more residents and families who are food-insecure will have access to the nutrition they need. It is an investment in the health and well-being of our community and will have a positive impact here in Buffalo.”

ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov.