With a new Costco opening in Amherst this August, Buffalo may have a new answer to fighting food insecurity.
The Western New York region is no stranger to food insecurity. 26% of Buffalo residents live below the poverty line according to census data from 2024. Erie County food insecurity rates have also increased each year, with numbers reaching 13.3% of residents as of 2023. When speaking to WKBW, Public Relations Manager of FeedMore WNY, Catherine Shick, highlighted the growing number of people experiencing food insecurity.
“We know about one in seven people may be experiencing food insecurity, including about one in five children,” she said.
Buffalo’s East Side is also commonly referred to as a food desert, where readily accessible locations to procure food are few and far between.
A Costco coming to the WNY region may prove to be a new answer to solving that problem. The store chain is known for offering customers wholesale quantities of goods, offering lower per-unit prices, deep discounts on premium brands, and their signature Kirkland brand.
While on paper this sounds like the perfect answer to Buffalo’s food problems, there are in fact a few barriers that may affect those who need these resources the most.
Dr. Michele Goergen, a professor in Buffalo State’s Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics program, commented on the impact Costco could have on food insecurity.
“Costco’s bulk pricing can help families stretch food budgets, but the upfront membership cost and need to buy in large quantities can be barriers for those experiencing food insecurity,” she said. “Also, this location is not in a food desert as it is already near several grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s, Tops, and Aldi, which all offer accessible food options without membership fees.”
Dr. Goergen went on to highlight that in spite of these factors, the new Costco can still make a tangible impact.
“Costco is well known for partnering with local food pantries by donating safe, unsold and nutritious food,” she said. “If similar partnerships are developed here, that could meaningfully support people facing food insecurity here in the Buffalo area.”
This is supported on Costco’s website, where it is stated that as recently as 2025, the company has donated almost 141 million pounds in food and provided over $97 million in charitable donations.
Buffalo’s residents require more accessible food resources. With the introduction of a well-known superstore brand, which is known for low prices and community partnership, those who live in the Erie County area may find dinner easier to find.
If you are currently experiencing food insecurity, below are resources to food pantries in the Buffalo area:
