Abstract Objectives The purpose of this research is two-fold: first, we have surveyed food pantry participants to assess their knowledge and selection of probiotic-containing foods; and second, we have evaluated and compared the availability and viability of probiotic cultures in the cheese and yogurts available at a local food pantry, in a retail market, and in fresh, homemade food products. Methods This study examined the availability, awareness, and usage of probiotic-containing food by food pantry participants. The study consisted of two parts. The first part examined the awareness and usage of probiotic foods by the food pantry participants that were evaluated by a validated survey. The survey was conducted with participants from four different food pantries in Wisconsin in September-October 2017. Survey data were analyzed by using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 24.0, 2016, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Pearson Chi-Squared analyses were used to examine the awareness and usage of probiotics by the participants. The second part analyzed the viability of probiotic bacteria in various kinds of yogurt and cheese available in a local food pantry as well as store-bought, high-quality cheese and yogurt, and homemade yogurt in the laboratory. Lactobacillus app. in the cheese and yogurt samples were isolated by MRS agar. The special formula was used to calculate the number of Lactobacillus app. in the samples. Results The results show 82.9% of survey participants (n = 205) reported that they heard the word probiotics, but only 44% of those are knowledgeable on probiotics. Importantly, knowledge of probiotics correlates to increased consumption of yogurt but not pickles and cheese. Lactobacillus viability did not vary significantly between expensive and cheap yogurt brands but was absent in processed yogurt and cheese. Conclusions Probiotics could be found in the food pantries but only in a limited quantity and frequency. Thus, nutrition education and interventions are needed to educate the food pantry directors on the importance of probiotic foods, especially dairy products. Also, there is a need to educate food pantry participants about probiotics. Funding Sources Student Research Grant; Research Services, University of Wisconsin-Stout.