Official Site of The State of New Jersey

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

The Fueling Futures Somerset County: School Meals Access & Equity Project is supported by OFSA's Building Expanded Access to Nutritious School Meals (BEANS) grant program. The County of Somerset is working with community-based agencies to strengthen access to free and reduced-price school meals across 21 municipal school districts in Somerset County by improving screening, referral, outreach, and coordination systems.

The project will conduct culturally responsive and multilingual outreach to help families understand school meal eligibility requirements and navigate the application process. At the same time, the project will build the capacity of school districts to integrate food insecurity screening into existing student support touchpoints. Training and technical assistance will equip school administrators, counselors, nurses, family liaisons, and other school staff with the knowledge and tools to provide informed, stigma-free guidance and connect students and families with food assistance resources.

The project will also strengthen referral pathways between schools and community-based food assistance organizations, supporting more coordinated, bi-directional referrals and improving follow-through for families seeking assistance. By embedding screening and referral practices within school systems and strengthening connections among schools, families, and community organizations, the project will reduce barriers to accessing school meals and other food resources and support increased participation in available programs.

This project supports the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 3.4 Screening and Referrals.