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.