Portland Metro Food Resources: Community Support During Difficult Times

With recent changes to SNAP funding and rising food costs, many families across the Portland Metro area are facing increased food insecurity. Whether you're experiencing a temporary setback, adjusting to new financial circumstances, or simply looking to stretch your grocery budget further, you're not alone—and help is available.

This comprehensive guide provides up-to-date information on food pantries, community fridges, emergency assistance programs, budget shopping strategies, and affordable recipes to help you and your family through this challenging time.

No judgment. No barriers. Just neighbors helping neighbors.

24/7 Community Fridges: Immediate Access, No Questions Asked

Community fridges operate on a simple, beautiful principle: take what you need, leave what you can, give what you're able. These are refrigerators placed in public spaces throughout Portland Metro, stocked by neighbors for neighbors.

What Makes Community Fridges Different:

• 24/7 access at many locations (no waiting for distribution days)

• No paperwork, no appointments, no proof of need

• Fresh food including produce, dairy, prepared meals

• Immediate help when you need it most

• Community-driven mutual aid (not government programs)

PDX Free Fridge Network

Website: sites.google.com/view/pdx-free-fridge/home
Instagram: @pdxfreefridge
Email: pdxfridge@gmail.com
Interactive Map: Available on their website

Coverage: Multiple locations throughout Portland

• North Portland

• Northeast Portland

• Southeast Portland

• East Portland

• Downtown area

What You'll Find:

• Fresh produce

• Dairy products

• Prepared meals

• Beverages

• Pantry staples

• Personal care items

How to Use:

1. Visit their Google Map to find the nearest fridge

2. Go any time (many are accessible 24/7)

3. Take what you need—no questions asked

4. If you're able, leave items for others

Donate: Venmo @pdx-freefridge or Cash App $pdxfreefridge

Beaverton Food Project

Website: beavertonfoodproject.com/map
Instagram: @beavertonfoodproject
Facebook: Beaverton Food Project
Interactive Maps:

• CARTO map (on their website)

• Google Maps link

What They Offer:

• Free food fridges (blue pins on map)

• Free food pantries (orange pins on map)

• Community gardens

• Produce boxes

Coverage Area: Beaverton, Hillsboro, and surrounding Washington County neighborhoods

Notable Location:

• Canyon Road Pantry: 7021 SW Canyon Road

• Multiple fridge and pantry locations throughout Beaverton and Hillsboro

Donate: Cash App $beavertonfoodproject

Centro Cultural - Centro Mercado: A Grocery Store Experience

Location: 1216 SE Baseline Street, Cornelius, OR 97113
Phone: 503-359-0446
Website: centrocultural.org/food

Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

What Makes Centro Mercado Special:

Unlike traditional food banks, Centro Mercado is set up like a grocery store where you can shop with dignity and choose the foods your family actually wants to eat.

Services:

• Free groceries (no requirements, no appointment needed)

• Fresh, local produce

• Culturally-specific foods for the Latino community

• Dairy products and pantry staples

• Welcoming, respectful environment

Languages: English and Spanish

About: Centro Cultural has served Washington County's Latino community since 1972. The Mercado provides a dignified shopping experience where families can select foods that match their cultural preferences and dietary needs.

Traditional Food Banks & Pantries

Oregon Food Bank - Food Finder

Website: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
Phone: 503-282-0555

What It Is: A comprehensive database of 1,400+ food assistance sites across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Search by:

• Zip code

• City

• Type of assistance (pantry, meal site, market)

Types of Sites:

• Emergency food boxes

• Hot meal programs

• Mobile pantries

• Farmers markets with SNAP benefits

• Senior meal programs

Gresham & East County Resources

East County Food Pantry

• Location: Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Gresham

• Schedule: Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

• Website: eastcountyfoodpantry.org

Zarephath Kitchen and Pantry

• Website: feedeastcounty.org

• Services: Food assistance, nourishing meals, pantry essentials

SnowCap Community Charities

• Website: snowcap.org

• Frequency: Up to 2 visits per month (through December 2025)

St. Henry's Church Food Pantry

• Location: 346 NW 1st Street, Gresham, OR 97030

• Cost: Free

Washington County Resources

Westside Community Church Food Pantry

• Location: Near Farmington and 185th, Beaverton

• Schedule: Every Saturday morning

• Time: Sign in at 9:00 AM

• Requirements: None

St. Alexander's Catholic Church

• Partnership with Oregon Food Bank and Centro Cultural

• Location: Washington County

Finding More Resources: Online Mapping Tools

Freedge.org

• Global database of community fridges

• Interactive map

• Search by location

• Website: freedge.org/locations
  
  

Little Free Pantry Map

• Nationwide mini pantry locator

• Community-maintained database

• Website: mapping.littlefreepantry.org

211 Info

• Dial 211 from any phone

• Free resource referral service

• Connects you to food assistance, housing help, utility assistance, and more

Emergency Budget Shopping Guide

When money is extremely tight, strategic shopping can help you stretch every dollar.

$35 Weekly Shopping List for a Family

Protein:

• 2 lbs dried beans ($2)

• 1 dozen eggs ($3)

• 1 lb ground beef or chicken thighs ($4)

Grains:

• 5 lb bag rice ($5)

• 1 lb pasta ($1)

• Loaf of bread ($2)

Produce:

• 3 lb bag potatoes ($3)

• 1 head cabbage ($2)

• 3 lb bag carrots ($2)

• 5 lb bag onions ($3)

• Bananas ($2)

Dairy:

• 1 gallon milk ($4)

• 8 oz shredded cheese ($2)

Pantry Staples:

• Cooking oil ($3)

• Salt, pepper, basic spices (if needed)

Total: ~$35

Budget-Friendly Grocery Stores in Portland Metro

Discount Stores

WinCo Foods

• Employee-owned, bulk bins, lowest prices in the region

• Locations: Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Portland

Grocery Outlet

• Overstock and closeout items at 40-70% off

• Multiple Portland Metro locations

Trader Joe's

• Affordable private-label products

• Locations throughout Portland Metro

Costco

• Bulk buying saves money (membership required: $60/year)

• Locations: Tigard, Aloha, Clackamas, Warrenton

Cash & Carry (Smart Foodservice)

• Restaurant supply store open to the public

• Bulk items at wholesale prices

Farmers Markets with SNAP Matching

Many Portland-area farmers markets double your SNAP dollars:

How It Works:

1. Swipe your Oregon Trail Card for $20

2. Receive $40 in market tokens

3. Buy fresh, local produce directly from farmers

Markets with Matching Programs:

• Portland Farmers Market (PSU, Shemanski Park)

• Beaverton Farmers Market

• Hillsboro Tuesday Marketplace

• Gresham Farmers Market

Website: portlandfarmersmarket.org

Ethnic Grocery Stores

Often significantly cheaper than mainstream supermarkets:

Asian Markets:

• Fubonn Shopping Center (Beaverton)

• Uwajimaya (Beaverton)

• Hong Phat (82nd Avenue)

Latino Markets:

• La Bonita (multiple locations)

• Tienda Santa Cruz

• Tortilleria y Tienda de Leon

Middle Eastern Markets:

• Barbur World Foods

• International Food Bazaar

Eastern European Markets:

• European Deli & Bakery

• Baba's European Deli

Budget-Friendly Recipes

7 Meals Under $1 Per Serving

1. Hearty Bean & Rice Bowl

• 1 cup rice, 1 cup beans, diced onion, spices

• Cost per serving: $0.40

• Serves: 4

2. Vegetable Fried Rice

• 3 cups cooked rice, 2 eggs, frozen mixed vegetables, soy sauce

• Cost per serving: $0.60

• Serves: 4

3. Potato & Egg Scramble

• 2 potatoes diced, 4 eggs, onion, salt, pepper

• Cost per serving: $0.50

• Serves: 4

4. Simple Pasta with Tomato Sauce

• 1 lb pasta, 1 can crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil

• Cost per serving: $0.55

• Serves: 6

5. Cabbage & Potato Soup

• 1/2 head cabbage, 3 potatoes, 1 onion, broth or water

• Cost per serving: $0.45

• Serves: 6

6. Oatmeal (Multiple Ways)

• 1 cup oats, water or milk, banana or cinnamon

• Cost per serving: $0.25

• Serves: 2

7. Tuna or Chicken Pasta Salad

• 1 lb pasta, 1 can tuna or chicken, mayo, frozen peas

• Cost per serving: $0.75

• Serves: 6

Meal Planning Tips to Stretch Your Budget

Plan Around Sales

1. Check weekly ads before shopping

2. Build meals around what's on sale

3. Stock up on non-perishables when prices drop

Buy in Bulk

• Rice, beans, pasta, oats

• Freeze bread, meat, and cheese

• Split bulk purchases with neighbors

Cook from Scratch

Instead of buying:

• Pre-cut vegetables → Buy whole and chop yourself

• Bottled salad dressing → Make with oil, vinegar, and spices

• Seasoning packets → Use individual spices

• Pre-made meals → Batch cook on weekends

Stretch Proteins

• Use beans and lentils as protein sources ($1-2/lb vs. $5-8/lb for meat)

• Buy whole chickens and break them down yourself

• Choose cheaper cuts of meat (chicken thighs, pork shoulder, ground beef)

Reduce Food Waste

• Use vegetable scraps for stock

• Freeze leftovers immediately

• Plan "leftover nights"

• Compost what you can't use

Community Fridge Etiquette & Food Safety

For Those Who Need Food:

✅ Take what you need - no questions asked
✅ Check freshness - take only what looks safe
✅ No sign-up required - just visit and take
✅ Visit as often as needed - there's no limit

❌ Don't take everything - leave some for others
❌ Don't consume if unsure - when in doubt, skip it

For Those Who Want to Help:

✅ Donate fresh, unexpired food
✅ Label items with dates
✅ Check fridge guidelines (some have specific needs)
✅ Donate money to help maintain fridges
✅ Volunteer to stock and organize

❌ Don't donate expired food
❌ Don't leave food outside the fridge
❌ Don't donate opened containers

Quick Reference Guide

Immediate Food Needs (24/7 Access):

• PDX Free Fridge: sites.google.com/view/pdx-free-fridge/home

• Beaverton Food Project: beavertonfoodproject.com/map

Grocery Store Experience:

• Centro Mercado: 1216 SE Baseline St, Cornelius | 503-359-0446

Find All Resources:

• Oregon Food Bank Finder: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org

• Freedge.org: freedge.org/locations

• 211 Info: Dial 211

Apply for future Benefits:

• SNAP: oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits

• WIC: oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthypeoplefamilies/wic

Emergency Contact:

• Oregon Food Bank: 503-282-0555

• Centro Cultural: 503-359-0446

• 211 Resource Referral: Dial 211

Share This Resource

Community resources only work when people know about them. Please share this information with:

• Neighbors who might need help

• Community groups and organizations

• Social media networks

• Schools and churches

• Local businesses

• Anyone who could benefit
  
  

Remember: These resources exist because communities care. Whether you need help today or can offer help tomorrow, you're part of this network of mutual aid. No one should go hungry when we have the power to help each other.

Information compiled October 2025. Community fridge locations, food bank hours, and program details may change. For the most current information, visit the websites and contact numbers listed above.