Official Site of The State of New Jersey

This work in approximately five words: Leadership, collaboration, sustainability, transparency, accessibility

The Rooted in Essex: A Community-Centered Coalition Data Hub project is supported by OFSA's NJ Food Security Research, Outreach, and Organizing for Trusted (Community) Engagement and Data (ROOTED) grant program. The Food & Health Equity Coalition of Essex County (FHEC), fiscally sponsored by Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), alongside FHEC Steering Committee member organizations, Community Advisory Board members, and coalition partners, is strengthening countywide food security coordination through the creation of a publicly accessible food security data and resource hub serving Essex County.

Building on several years of coalition development, the project enhances FHEC's ability to connect residents, community organizations, public agencies, healthcare providers, educators, growers, and other partners working to address food insecurity. Project activities include supporting coalition operations through a dedicated Coalition Coordinator, implementing accessibility and navigation improvements to the FHEC website, and co-designing a new public-facing data and resource platform with residents who have lived and living experience navigating the local food system.

Through a series of Community Advisory Board co-design sessions, residents will help shape how food security information, service locations, and community resources are presented and shared. The award will help the Food & Health Equity Coalition of Essex County make its website (fhecessex.org) more accessible and useful - adding a food resource map and shared data tools so residents can more easily find help, and partners can more easily share information

By expanding opportunities for resident leadership and strengthening countywide collaboration, Rooted in Essex creates a sustainable, community-informed resource that supports more efficient food system planning and decision-making. This project supports the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 1.3 Data Visualization and Dissemination, Strategy 3.2 County-level Coordination, and Strategy 3.3 Bi-directional Community Engagement.

Strengthening food security coordination in Essex County through a community-designed data and resource hub, expanded resident engagement, and improved access to food security information and services

ROOTED

Strategy 1.3 Data Visualization and Dissemination,Strategy 3.2 County-level Coordination,Strategy 3.3 Bi-directional Community Engagement

This work in approximately five words: Data harmonization for measurable change

The Passaic County Food Security Data Hub project is supported by OFSA's NJ Food Security Research, Outreach, and Organizing for Trusted (Community) Engagement and Data (ROOTED) grant program. The Passaic County Department of Human Services, in partnership with the Emergency Food Provider Coalition of Passaic County, is developing a centralized, public-facing data platform that supports collaborative food security planning and resource coordination throughout Passaic County.

The project brings together data from county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to create a comprehensive picture of food insecurity and food access across the county. Building upon the existing Food Access Map, the Passaic County Food Security Data Hub will integrate shared datasets, interactive dashboards, and visualization tools that help partners identify service gaps, monitor community needs, and make informed decisions about food security investments and initiatives.

In addition to expanding access to food security data, the platform will serve as a multi-sector resource directory that connects residents and service providers with a broad range of community supports and referrals. By making information more accessible and actionable, the Data Hub strengthens collaboration among food assistance organizations, public agencies, and community partners working toward shared food security goals. Through improved data sharing and coordination, partners are building a stronger foundation for countywide planning and collective action.

This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 1.1 Data Coordination, Strategy 1.3 Data Visualization and Dissemination and Strategy 3.3 Bi-directional Community Engagement.

Creating a countywide food security data hub that combines resource mapping, public dashboards, and shared data tools to support collaborative planning and community engagement

ROOTED

Strategy 1.1 Data Coordination,Strategy 1.3 Data Visualization and Dissemination,Strategy 3.3 Bi-directional Community Engagement

This work in approximately five words: 

The Increasing NJ Value-Added Processing Capacity for Local Food Security and Farm Sales project is supported by OFSA's New Jersey Food System Enhancements Program (FSEP). The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ), alongside Ironbound Farm, Organic Food Incubator, Foodshed Alliance, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, and Farmers Against Hunger, is expanding opportunities for value-added food processing while strengthening food security efforts across New Jersey.

The project creates new pathways for small, beginning, and underserved producers to transform excess or surplus crops into shelf-stable food products that can be distributed through hunger relief organizations and sold through local markets. Through collaborative processing activities, participating farms will gain access to expertise, facilities, and support that reduce barriers to entering value-added markets.

Ironbound Farm will serve as an aggregation and coordination hub, while food rescue and gleaning partners help identify and recover excess produce during peak growing seasons. Together, project partners are reducing food waste, increasing producer revenue opportunities, and expanding the availability of locally produced food products for food pantries, food banks, and community organizations. The initiative demonstrates how food security and agricultural economic development goals can be advanced simultaneously through collaborative food system investments.

This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 2.3: Market Channel Creation and Focus Area 2.4: Food Enterprise Investment.

Supporting farmers and hunger relief organizations through value-added food processing that reduces food waste, creates new market opportunities, and expands access to local food products

FSEP

Strategy 2.3 Market Channel Creation,Strategy 2.4 Food Enterprise Investment

This work in approximately five words: Shared fresh-food distribution network

The New Jersey Shared Cold Storage Infrastructure Pilot is supported by OFSA's New Jersey Food System Enhancements Program (FSEP). Move For Hunger, alongside America’s Gleaned Seafood, Atlantic Offshore Fishery, Mercy Center, and Somerset County partners, is expanding shared refrigerated and freezer storage capacity across Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset counties to strengthen the movement and distribution of fresh New Jersey-sourced food.

The project addresses a common challenge facing hunger relief organizations: limited cold storage capacity for safely handling and distributing perishable foods. Through a hub-based model, partners are deploying shared refrigeration and freezer units that can be used by multiple organizations to store, aggregate, and redistribute fresh products from farms, fisheries, processors, and other food system partners.

Increased cold-chain infrastructure allows community organizations to accept and distribute larger volumes of fresh food while reducing spoilage and improving efficiency. The project also creates stronger connections between local food producers and hunger relief organizations, helping ensure more New Jersey-grown and New Jersey-harvested food reaches residents experiencing food insecurity. The project supports a more resilient regional food network capable of responding to community needs while supporting local producers. The project will generate lessons and best practices that may inform future infrastructure investments across the state.

This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 2.1: Food Access and Availability Infrastructure.

Expanding shared cold storage capacity in Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset counties to improve the distribution of fresh New Jersey-sourced food through local hunger relief networks

FSEP

Strategy 2.1 Food Access and Availability Infrastructure

This work in approximately five words: Collective Impact

The New Brunswick Emergency Food System Strategic Coordination project is supported by OFSA's NJ Food Security Research, Outreach, and Organizing for Trusted (Community) Engagement and Data (ROOTED) grant program. New Brunswick Tomorrow, alongside REPLENISH, Emanuel Lutheran Church, Rutgers University’s Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement, and Rutgers University NJ Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, is strengthening coordination among a network of emergency food providers serving residents throughout Middlesex County, with a focus on the New Brunswick area.
 
Through the Feeding New Brunswick Network, project partners are building a more connected, efficient, and equitable emergency food system by improving communication, information sharing, and collaborative planning among food assistance organizations. Regular convenings, shared data practices, and strategic planning activities will help participating organizations better understand community needs, identify service gaps, and reduce duplication of efforts across the local food assistance network.
 
A key component of the project is the development of a virtual food resource map to help service providers, and community organizations locate available food assistance resources and better understand the local food access landscape. By creating a shared understanding of existing services and unmet needs, partners are better positioned to coordinate resources and direct support where it is needed most.
 
The project strengthens relationships among emergency food providers while creating new opportunities for data-informed decision-making and collaborative problem-solving. This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 1.3 Data Visualization and Dissemination and Strategy 3.2 County-level Coordination.

Improving coordination among emergency food providers in the New Brunswick area through shared planning, data-informed decision-making, and the development of a virtual food resource map

ROOTED

Strategy 1.3 Data Visualization and Dissemination,Strategy 3.2 County-level Coordination

This work in approximately five words: Food Access in Action

The Good Food Bucks Expansion to Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits project is supported by OFSA's New Jersey Food System Enhancements Program (FSEP). City Green is expanding the statewide Good Food Bucks nutrition incentive program by distributing matching incentives for participants using WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (Senior FMNP) benefits at participating farm-direct retail partners across New Jersey. 
  
Building on the success of the existing Good Food Bucks SNAP Nutrition Incentive Program, the project allows WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP participants to receive additional purchasing power when buying fresh fruits and vegetables from participating farmers markets, farm stands, and other farm-direct retailers throughout the state. The initiative leverages an established network of partners such as Senior Nutrition Sites and local WIC agencies and long-standing program infrastructure to efficiently expand access to locally grown produce. 
  
By doubling the value of FMNP benefits, the project supports purchasing opportunities for households with limited food budgets and benefits participating farmers benefit through increased sales and stronger connections to local consumers. At the same time, the project encourages greater participation in federal nutrition programs.  The expansion strengthens local food systems by creating additional demand for New Jersey-grown products and increasing the flow of nutritious foods into communities experiencing food insecurity.
 
This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 2.1 Food Access and Availability Infrastructure and Strategy 2.3 Market Channel Creation.

Expanding Good Food Bucks incentives statewide to increase the purchasing power of FMNP and Senior FMNP participants while supporting New Jersey farmers and local food systems

FSEP

Strategy 2.1 Food Access and Availability Infrastructure,Strategy 2.3 Market Channel Creation,Strategy 3.2 County-level Coordination

This work in approximately five words: Supporting farmers, Repurposing Surplus, Nourishing Neighbors

The Full Circle Kitchen project is supported by OFSA's New Jersey Food System Enhancements Program (FSEP). Table to Table, alongside Urban Agriculture Cooperative, Foodshed Alliance, and Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), is launching a community-based prepared meal initiative centered at RWJBarnabas Health's HARVEST food hub in Essex County.

The project transforms rescued, gleaned, and locally sourced food into nutritious ready-to-heat meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Working from a commercial kitchen facility, culinary apprentices will gain hands-on workforce development experience while preparing meals under the guidance of trained culinary professionals. Community members will help inform meal development to ensure offerings reflect local preferences and needs.

Prepared meals will be distributed through nonprofit partners with a focus on reaching seniors, families with young children, and residents who may face barriers to cooking, including limited access to kitchen facilities or cooking equipment. By combining food recovery, local food purchasing, workforce development, and meal distribution, the project creates multiple benefits across the food system.

The initiative also strengthens markets for local farmers and producers by purchasing ingredients while simultaneously reducing food waste through the use of rescued food. Through its phased implementation approach, Full Circle Kitchen is establishing a scalable model that can support long-term food security and community resilience.

This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 2.1 Food Access and Availability Infrastructure and Strategy 2.2 Agriculture Workforce and Land Access.

Transforming rescued and locally sourced food into nutritious prepared meals while supporting culinary workforce development, reducing food waste, and increasing food access in Essex County

FSEP

Strategy 2.1 Food Access and Availability Infrastructure,Strategy 2.2 Agriculture Workforce and Land Access

This work in approximately five words: Farms and Food Access, Atlantic City, NJ

The Food Hub on Farmer's Row: Community-Rooted Food Infrastructure and Market Expansion in Atlantic City project is supported by OFSA's New Jersey Food System Enhancements Program (FSEP). Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces (C.R.O.P.S.).), in collaboration with Reed’s Organic Farm and neighborhood, nonprofit, healthcare, business, and food-system partners, is strengthening local food infrastructure rooted in Atlantic City’s Pacific Avenue corridor and Chelsea neighborhood while expanding farm-to-market pathways across Atlantic County.

The project advances The Food Hub on Farmer’s Row as a community-centered aggregation and distribution hub that connects New Jersey farms with neighborhood organizations, retailers, restaurants, institutional buyers, and community food access points. Activities include strengthening produce aggregation, expanding cold storage and transportation capacity, testing produce-moving logistics, piloting ordering and fulfillment software, and coordinating relationships between producers and purchasers.

The project builds on existing Farmer’s Row activity, including the UCAN Farmer Training Program's indoor hydroponic production and outdoor growing, community education, green job training, Farm Share programming, farmers markets, and food access initiatives. In 2026, partners are using produce-moving logistics to test transporting orders from Reed’s Organic Farm to C.R.O.P.S. Food Hub operations while preparing for expanded warehouse, staffing, technology, and distribution capacity.

By centralizing logistics, improving market channels, and expanding reliable pathways for New Jersey-grown food, the project will help move fresh food into Atlantic City neighborhoods while supporting local farmers, emerging growers, and community-rooted food enterprises. This project advances the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 2.4: Food Enterprise Investment and also supports market channel creation through producer-to-buyer coordination.

Strengthening food distribution infrastructure in Atlantic City to connect local farms with neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions while expanding access to fresh food

FSEP

Strategy 2.1 Food Access and Availability Infrastructure,Strategy 2.4 Food Enterprise Investment