What Food Can You Send to an Inmate in New York State?
If you're trying to send food to a loved one incarcerated in a New York State correctional facility, one of the first questions you may have is: What food can I send to an inmate in New York State?
Shopping for an inmate food package can be confusing. The type of food, packaging, weight and individual facility requirements can all affect what your loved one can receive.
CIG Essentials specializes in serving families purchasing food and essential items for loved ones in New York State correctional facilities.
This guide will help you understand what to consider before putting together a NYS inmate food package.
What Foods Can Be Included in a NYS Inmate Package?
Depending on current NYS DOCCS and facility requirements, families may have many different food choices.
These can include products such as:
- Fully cooked meats
- Chicken and chicken wings
- Seafood
- Cheese
- Breakfast foods
- Cereal
- Rice and side dishes
- Snacks
- Crackers
- Beverages and drink mixes
- Condiments
- Shelf-stable foods
- Other permitted grocery products
The important thing isn't simply what the food is. You also need to pay attention to how the product is packaged and the requirements that apply to your loved one's facility.
Fully Cooked Meat and Chicken
Fully cooked foods can give families more choices when putting together a food package.
CIG Essentials carries a variety of food products that may include options such as fully cooked chicken, chicken wings, chicken breast, beef and other prepared meats.
Families should always select products appropriate for the receiving correctional facility and current package requirements.
Can You Send Seafood to a NYS Inmate?
Seafood can also be an option when permitted under applicable package rules.
Depending on product availability, CIG Essentials offers seafood selections that can help families add variety to their loved one's food package.
As with other foods, packaging matters. A product that might otherwise be acceptable could create an issue if it is packaged in a prohibited container.
Watch the Packaging
This is one of the most important things families should understand when shopping for NYS inmate food packages.
Not every type of retail packaging is necessarily appropriate for a correctional facility.
For example, if a particular product cannot be sent in a metal can, look for an acceptable alternative such as the same or similar food packaged in a pouch, when permitted.
This is why you shouldn't choose products based only on the food itself. Check the container and packaging as well.
Cheese and Refrigerated Foods
Families may also want to send cheese and other refrigerated foods.
CIG Essentials carries selections that can include sliced cheeses and other refrigerated products.
Perishable products require additional attention during shipping because maintaining proper handling during transit is important.
CIG Essentials uses thermal insulated shipping for appropriate perishable orders to help protect temperature-sensitive products during shipment.
Breakfast Foods
Breakfast products can be another useful category when building an inmate food package.
Depending on applicable requirements and product availability, options may include foods such as:
- Instant grits
- Hot cereals
- Cold cereals
- Breakfast meats
- English muffins
- Pastries and similar breakfast foods
These products can give your loved one more variety instead of filling an entire package with one type of food.
Snacks, Rice, Sides and Condiments
You can also consider permitted snacks, side dishes and condiments.
Depending on current product availability and applicable rules, families may find options such as rice, potatoes, crackers, drink mixes, sauces, mustard, ketchup and other packaged foods.
CIG Essentials offers multiple food categories so families can build a more complete package in one place.
Don't Forget About Package Weight
One of the easiest mistakes to make is concentrating on individual products without keeping track of the total package weight.
Before completing an order, make sure you're considering the applicable package limits for your loved one's facility.
This becomes particularly important when combining products from different sources.
For example, families using the CIG Essentials Walmart+ & Sam's Club Premier Pickup Service should keep track of the combined weight of their purchases.
Products purchased directly through Walmart or Sam's Club are not automatically included in the package weight shown in the CIG Essentials shopping cart.
Can You Use EBT/SNAP to Buy Food for a NYS Inmate?
Families who receive SNAP benefits may have another shopping option.
Through the CIG Essentials Walmart+ & Sam's Club Premier Pickup Service, customers can shop for qualifying food products through the participating retailer and use EBT/SNAP for eligible purchases when supported by that retailer.
Customers shop online using the designated Fishkill, NY pickup location, and CIG Essentials picks up the completed order and prepares it for shipment to the loved one's correctional facility.
For complete instructions, read our guide:
How to Use EBT/SNAP to Send Food Packages to NYS Inmates
Check the Rules Before Ordering
Correctional facility requirements can change, and not every incarcerated individual or facility will necessarily have identical circumstances.
Before placing an order, families should verify the current requirements that apply to their loved one and the receiving facility.
Doing this before you shop can help reduce the possibility of purchasing an item that cannot be accepted.
Shopping for NYS Inmate Food Packages
CIG Essentials is focused on helping families shop for loved ones in New York State correctional facilities.
Our food selections include products across meat, chicken, seafood, breakfast, beverages, snacks, sides, and other everyday food categories.
We also provide shipping options designed around the needs of correctional-facility food orders, including thermal insulated shipping for appropriate perishable products.
If you're unsure how the inmate package process works, also read our guide:
How to Send a Package to an Inmate in New York State
Together, these resources can help you understand the process, choose appropriate products, and make more informed decisions when shopping for your loved one.
More Help With NYS Inmate Packages
Need help understanding how to send a package? Read our guide on how to send a package to an inmate in New York State for step-by-step information about sending packages to your loved one.
Families who use SNAP benefits can also read how to use EBT/SNAP to send food packages to NYS inmates and learn about shopping through the CIG Essentials Walmart+ & Sam’s Club Premier Pickup Service.
CIG Essentials — Serving Families in NYS Correctional Facilities.
