Met Council opened a $25 million food distribution warehouse and conference center in Canarsie, Brooklyn, on Oct. 26, expanding its capacity to deliver fresh kosher food to families across New York, according to VINnews.
The 22,000-square-foot facility at 5361 Preston Court will serve as the central hub for the organization’s food distribution network, supporting 344 food pantry partners.
Met Council distributed more than 20 million pounds of food during fiscal year 2026 and provides food assistance and social services to approximately 350,000 New Yorkers annually.
“No New Yorker should have to choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table,” said David G. Greenfield, Met Council’s chief executive.
The warehouse is designed to accommodate operations capable of reaching as many as 1 million New Yorkers, although that figure represents potential capacity rather than the number currently served.
The warehouse features expanded cold storage and inventory management systems designed to improve the distribution of fresh produce, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy products. Artificial intelligence tools are intended to help forecast demand, optimize delivery routes and reduce food waste.
A digital food pantry at the site will allow Canarsie residents to select groceries online and arrange pickup. The program will offer fresh produce, dairy products, proteins and pantry staples. UJA-Federation of New York helped fund the initiative.
The building will also support kosher school lunches at 144 schools, home deliveries to vulnerable residents, mobile food pantries and medically tailored food assistance for eligible Medicaid members. Its conference center will host training and meetings for partner organizations and public agencies.
Funding came from city, state, federal and private sources. State Sen. Sam Sutton secured a $1 million state matching grant, matched by Met Council donors and board members. Former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams also helped secure city funding.
The warehouse will support seasonal food distributions before Rosh Hashanah, Sukkos and Passover, alongside year-round programs.
