Food &
Nutrition

Community Resource Center’s Food & Nutrition Center provides healthy food and nutrition education to individuals and families who are hungry or food insecure.

Smiling mom with her child

About CRC's Food & Nutrition Services

If you are in need of emergency food, please contact our Social Services office.

650 2nd Street, Encinitas
Phone: (760) 300-3238
Email: intake@crcncc.org
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM

CRC serves as one of the only client choice pantries in north county. We believe in the dignity of choice, so you can select food items that make sense for your family.

Our Food and Nutrition Center uses a ticketing system to streamline the shopping experience. Once you are enrolled, CRC staff will provide you with a numbered ticket; when your number is called, it’s your turn to shop!

The "Ticketing Time" listed below are when tickets are available for that program and the "Selection" or "Shopping Times" are when numbers are called and shopping is available. Please note that while shopping is available for emergency food, if you come outside of ticketing and shopping times, CRC staff will be able to shop for you.

Fruit, salad, snacks and drinks.

Daily Assistance:
First Light (1x per day)

Designed to provide light, ready to eat items for participants with limited access to cooking facilities.

Eligibility: All low-income individuals and families.

New Participant: Complete enrollment forms at CRC offices.

Not available in combination with Weekly Food and Nutrition program/Emergency Food program.

Ticketing Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Selection Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Weekly Food (1x per week)

Available to individuals and families participating in CRC’s case management programs. Participants will receive items based on household size and daily availability.

Eligibility: Participants enrolled in CRC’s case management program.

New Participant: Contact CRC for current case management program eligibility.

Ticketing Time: 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Shopping Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

A young mom holds her pre-school age daughter on her hip in front of shelves of fresh produce.
A woman hands a bag of food to another woman.

Emergency Assistance
Food

Assistance for individuals and families experiencing a food emergency is available monthly.

Eligibility: All low-income individuals and families.

New Participant: Complete enrollment forms at CRC offices.

Ticketing Time: 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Shopping Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

*Outside of ticketing and shopping times, Emergency food is available via the Social Services Intake Window

USDA Commodities

CRC is a designated emergency site for the USDA Commodities Program that provides individuals and families with pre-bagged basic food items.

Eligibility: Participants must meet Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) income guidelines for each year. Participants may reside in Encinitas or another city.

New Participant: Inquire about EFAP Commodities at CRC offices.

Ticketing Time

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Assortment of canned food.
A woman is at a computer, with fresh food and a measuring tape in front of her.

Cooking Classes

Cooking classes are available for individuals participating in our Food and Nutrition program. Please consult with a CRC case manager or the food pantry for more information.