Meals for Good Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To reduce food insecurity for all people living in New York City by increasing access and choice to culturally relevant healthy food. We envision a time when everyone in NYC will have equitable access to a variety of healthy, fresh food. Increasing the resiliency of local food systems by partnering with regional farms, local food businesses and schools and pantries to ensure a sufficient supply of acceptable and accessible food for all.
- Income
- $237,368
- Spending
- $157,088
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 11.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 130% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $146,452 spent. Meals For Good works with community-based organizations (CBOs) in high poverty neighborhoods to distribute vouchers for independent supermarkets. These vouchers are distributed to people who are food insecure. The number of vouchers each person receives is based on the size of each family and the amount of the Meals For Good grant. Each week, the supermarkets return the used vouchers with receipt data so we can see what people buy. Not surprisingly, people in every neighborhood where vouchers have been distributed, they buy high quality meats, fresh produce and kitchen basics such as corn oil, flour and other pantry staples. Our data shows that vouchers are redeemed at a very high rate, food insecurity is significantly reduced, mothers say they dont have to miss a meal so their children can eat, health is improved and financial security is increased. We are continuing to work with institutions that will collect data with the goal of helping more jurisdictions in NYC and beyond, to create similar voucher programs.
- $4,065 spent. THE NYC EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, PART OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE ADMINISTRATION, HELP US LOCATE THE MOST UNDERFUNDED FOOD PANTIRES. AFTER A VISIT TO EACH OF THESE PANTIRES TO ENSURE THEY CAN STORE AND DISTRIBUTE FRESH PRODUCE, WE THEN WORK WITH THEM TO ORDER THE PRODUCE THEY NEED. WE ORDER MOSTLY FROM LOCAL AND REGIONAL FAMILY FARMS TO HELP SUPPORT OUR FARM FAMILIES AS WELL AS THE FAMILIES WHO WAIT ON PANTRY LINES. WE HAVE ALSO STARTED GIVING INCENTIVE GRANTS TO PANTRIES - EXTRA MONIES TO TRY A NEW PRODUCT THAT IS SEASONALLY AVAILABLE AND MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR TO FAMILIES FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES WAITING ON LINE FOR FOOD.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.