Affordable, local, nutrient-dense groceries.
How Does it Work?
Subscribe for a Lifeline grocery box and have fresh, affordable groceries delivered or available for pick up at one of our Queens partners.
Pick Your Price - $0, $25, $35, or $45.
If you are able to contribute more, that money is redistributed to support $25 & $0 grocery distribution to food insecure families in Queens.
Select Your Add-Ons
Our Add-Ons are additional grocery items to round out your week’s shopping.
All items sources from local farms & Queens businesses and include items like, local honey, bread, eggs, quality meat, shelf stable products and more.
Select Delivery or Pick up at any of our Queens partners.
$0 Delivery takes place on Wednesdays 1-6pm
All Pick Ups take place Thursday in Long Island City - Astoria - Corona
$25 - $45 Delivery takes place on Fridays 1-6pm
Receive weekly recipes and ways to incorporate your groceries into a delicious meal!
FREE
Our free groceries are available to families who are out of work and do not qualify for unemployment or sufficient government assistance.
Sliding Scale
Our sliding scale option is available to any community member and allows you to contribute to your community while reconnecting with your food.
Here’s the breakdown:
$0 box - reserved for food insecure families living in Queens and unable to receive government assistance. We currently have a waitlist for this tier.
$25 box - supports low-income families with affordable groceries
$35 box - covers food and labor costs to get your groceries ordered, packed and delivered
$45 box - subsidizes a free grocery box for a food insecure neighbor & allows our organization to provide deeper community support to families who need it.
Ultimately the price tier you choose is up to you, but here’s a guide for you to consider.
**Weekly and Bi-weekly subscription options available**
What’s in a Box?
Local, fresh produce and grains/legumes
Family box
18-20 lbs - Great for family of 4
6-7 varieties of veggies
2 types of fruits
1 pound of grains
*Value of Family Box = $60 at your local NYC market
Individual box
10-12 lbs. - Great for 1-2 people
Same variety as a full box with less of each ingredient
1 pound of grains
*Value of Individual Box = $40 at your local NYC market
Where does the food come from?
We source 80% of our food from small farms in the NY, NJ, PA area.
On the off seasons, many of our farms harvest from their sister-farms further south in the Carolinas & Florida.
It is important to us that we are maintaining a direct connection with our farmers.
It’s not only about ensuring you are getting the highest quality and freshest ingredients, but that the process of farming, harvesting and food distribution is steeped in care and not extraction and harm like many big brands are.
We all need groceries. Why not purchase yours here and support your community at the same time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Start / End Dates for grocery distribution?
There is no end date! We run Lifeline Groceries all year round thanks to partnerships with local restaurant purveyors and sister farms located in the Carolina’s, Georgia, and Florida. For families associated and picking up at your school - you have the option to transition to a delivery during summer months!
What happens if you go away for a week--can you cancel in advance?
YES! Everyone has full control over their own customer profile so you can pause and cancel at anytime. If you are going on vacation, we recommend a pause and then you can unpause when you're back instead of having to resubscribe.
When will I get my Lifeline Groceries?
$0 Subscription Delivery - Wednesday 1-6pm
$25 - $45 Subscription Delivery - Friday 1-6pm
ALL Pick up (includes $0-$45 subscriptions) - Thursday
Pick up times vary based on your location. You will receive a confirmation email confirming your pick up times. Please note times below:
The Connected Chef, 49-09 5th Street, LIC: Thursday 2-5pm
PS17/Q300 (for school families only): Thursday 2-2:30pm
Astoria Food Pantry: Thursday 4-5pm
What price should I choose for my Lifeline Grocery box?
Ultimately the price tier you choose is up to you, but here’s a guide for you to consider.
Can you cancel at any time (basically no commitment?)
YES! No fees for cancelling
Can you change from weekly to bi-weekly or vice versa at any time?
You sure can! If folks need help with changing their profile or subscription they can email us at Lifeline@theconnectedchef.org
“Volunteering every week has brought me to the same families and now I get a great big hello and smiles!! Yesterday’s experience was great! Starting to deliver to the same people so they are beginning to recognize me! I am so glad that I am able to help those in my own community.”
“It was great. Omar was very nice, organized, and directive. Other volunteers were also very friendly. I helped prepare for the next week’s packing by making boxes. The facility is completely outdoors and it was a beautiful day to do the work.”