Community Partner Spotlight: UA3
During the season of giving, the FoodStream team would like to take the opportunity to spotlight NYC food pantry partnerships that do so much to serve people in need.
During this season of giving, we’re proud to spotlight community partners who are doing the hard, daily work of showing up for their neighbors, and building systems that last.
UA3 is a New York City based nonprofit located in the heart of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Founded in 2015, UA3’s mission is to uplift underserved communities by expanding access to essential resources, creating socio-economic opportunity, supporting youth empowerment and education, and promoting health and overall wellbeing. Their work is rooted in collaboration, equity, and a deep commitment to community.
UA3’s Community First Food Pantry launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the urgent rise in food insecurity across New York City. Today, the pantry distributes fresh, healthy, and culturally appropriate food to anyone in need alongside nutrition education, cooking classes, youth leadership programs, and referrals to additional support services. The pantry is intentionally designed as a welcoming, dignified space, not just a place to pick up food, but a place to feel supported.
Through weekly pantry service, holiday distributions, and special community food events, UA3 has helped provide tens of thousands of meals to New Yorkers. Since 2020, the organization has distributed over $20 million worth of food, while also investing in long-term education and outreach that supports individuals and families across generations.
Turning Connection Into Measurable Impact
Through FoodStream Network, UA3 was able to strengthen its food access pipeline by becoming an official partner of foodStream food donor partner Sharing Excess unlocking access to large-scale, high-quality surplus food.
As a result:
-
348,777 pounds of unsold fresh produce were redirected from Hunts Point fresh produce market to the UA3 community
-
Representing $522,879.54 in recovered food value
-
Perfectly edible, unsold food that might otherwise have gone to waste instead went to UA3 and nourished families across NYC
This is what happens when the right organizations are connected at the right moment, reducing unsold edible food going to landfill, increasing access, and strengthening community infrastructure.
Why This Matters
At FoodStream, we believe food access works best when it’s coordinated, transparent, and community-led. UA3 is a powerful example of how local organizations can scale their impact when they’re connected to aligned partners, real-time resources, and shared systems of support.
Get Involved
If your organization:
-
Has surplus food to donate
-
Is looking for trusted community partners
-
Wants to reduce waste while increasing local impact
-
Or is seeking better ways to collaborate across the food system
Responses