Official Site of The State of New Jersey
OFSA Annual Conference
On Monday, September 29, 2025, the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) held the second annual statewide Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always, a signature event convening people, organizations and sectors dedicated to improving food security across the state.
Hundreds of changemakers from across our state and beyond attended this year’s conference in person and as part of the online community.
To this year’s first-time and returning participants alike, thank you for joining OFSA for a day of cross-sector conversations and networking to advance the collective work of making true food security a reality for everyone. Check out highlights from the day, plus resources from the presenters and more!
View Photo Highlights
Watch the Conference Recording Here
The 2025 Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always brought together partners from across New Jersey and beyond to advance the shared goal of food security for everyone. As the state’s largest cross-sector gathering on this issue, the conference created space for reflection, collaboration, and inspiration.
The day opened with remarks from OFSA Executive Director Mark Dinglasan, and included an address from Speaker Craig Coughlin and a recorded message from Governor Phil Murphy. These remarks underscore New Jersey leadership’s commitment to making food security for all a reality.
Sessions throughout the day highlighted key milestones, including updates on the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan, use cases of the new Statewide Food Security Index, and a panel on New Jersey’s new right to adequate food resolution. Participants also heard from regional partners, explored private sector engagement, and celebrated food security champions during an awards presentation.
The conference closed with a forward-looking session presented by Mark Dinglasan, Where We Go from Here, emphasizing continued cross-sector action, innovation, and commitment to lasting solutions.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful conversations, networked with colleagues, and strengthened partnerships. The conference made clear that food security in New Jersey going beyond addressing working neighbors’ emergency needs to also support and protect individuals, families, and communities’ sustained agency in food availability, access, and utilization for generations to come.
Together, we are setting the table for all, for always.
Conference Resources
2025 Garden State Conference on Food Security Recording
View the full recording of the second annual statewide Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always.
New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan Session Slides
Review slides on the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan development process, focus areas, and next steps, presented by Jenny Schrum PhD, MSW, MPH, OFSA’s Director of Research and Evaluation Strategy.
Explore the Nourishing Knowledge Hub where you’ll find multimedia stories from New Jersey’s local leaders and community members who are thinking and working more broadly about food, plus resources and data from OFSA that can help turn vision into action.
