Official Site of The State of New Jersey
OFSA Annual Conference
Monday, September 29, 2025
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Westin – Mount Laurel, NJ
555 Fellowship Rd, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054
Join us for OFSA's second annual statewide conference, a signature event convening people, organizations and sectors dedicated to improving food security across the state.
Nearly 400 changemakers attended the inaugural conference in person and in virtual community, creating an energy one attendee excitedly described as “a family reunion!”
OFSA is pleased to bring the Garden State Conference on Food Security back to South Jersey, with the return of a livestream option this year.
Once again, the event welcomes resident leaders and community advocates, mission-driven service providers, growers and food producers, government and philanthropic representatives, social workers, school administrators, healthy aging advocates, charitable food organizations and other regional partners striving to put nourishing food within closer reach of everyone, every day – regardless of their age, income level, dietary needs, access to transportation or which community they call home.
The conference is set to feature* many outstanding, hard-working, and highly visible figures in our collective and multisector field, including:
- Angela Brown, Executive Director, Loving Our Cities
- Kate Masuch, MPH, Director of Corporate Sustainability & Social Impact at Novo Nordisk
- Karyn Moskowitz, Executive Director, New Roots, Inc.
- Amy Yaroch, Executive Director, Center for Nutrition & Health Impact
*Subject to change
There are a limited number of in-person spaces available, with a final due date of Friday, September 12.
Two Options to Attend
Reserve your seat to attend in-person
In-person attendance reservations are first-come, first-served.
Sign up as a virtual attendee to view the livestream
After in-person seats are full, subsequest registrations can sign up for the livestream.
Committed to Actualizing the Right for Everyone in New Jersey to Have Adequate Food
This second year of our conference comes after a major shift in the state's approach to food security. As part of Assembly Joint Resolution No. 229, sponsored by conference guest Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider, New Jersey now seeks to guarantee the full exercise of the right to adequate food.
Per the resolution, New Jersey policies must now promote the production, supply, fair and equitable distribution, and consumption of, nutritious, sufficient, high-quality, safe, and culturally appropriate foods to promote the protection and exercise of the right to adequate food and to avoid food waste to the greatest extent possible, strengthening the State’s self-sufficiency and food security generally.
The day’s panels, presentations, and discussions will reflect this new commitment and demonstrate why the Garden State continues to lead the nation in addressing food security with policies and programs that promote dignified access, self-determination, and the health of all New Jerseyans.
Building Momentum to Nourish Every Person and Household Across New Jersey
The Garden State Conference is the largest cross-sector state gathering of people dedicated to making statewide food security a reality. We're thinking beyond emergency, charitable feeding efforts and moving toward holistic approaches that improve opportunities for individuals, families, and communities to make self-determining choices that sustain their loved ones and facilitate self-healing.
Our goals this year are to:
- Delve into the significance of the recent NJ State Assembly Resolution enshrining the right to adequate food
- Explore collaborative strategies with colleagues in other states
- Highlight the role of private sector partnerships in advancing food security
- Draw inspiration while recognizing accomplishments and milestones over the past year
- Offer partners the opportunity to network and spark connections to continue towards our overall goal of food security statewide
Enjoy talks, presentations, panel discussions, and a live demonstration of the new online Statewide Food Insecurity Index with community partners sharing how they are using the Index. Plus, participants will hear updates on the Statewide Food Security Strategic Plan from OFSA Executive Director Mark Dinglasan and Director of Research and Evaluation Dr. Jenny Schrum.
This year's conference will recognize the contributions of several outstanding partners within our state, through these categories:
- Making a Difference Award
- Community Excellence Award
- Community Leadership Award
See the Impact and Momentum We're Building Watch a 90-second recap of last year’s Conference
Reserve Your Spot for an Event You Won't Want to Miss
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!
The Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always presented by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate is intentionally bringing together hundreds of partners from across New Jersey's food system who are already thinking more broadly about food security and the interconnected issues that communities and our state's food producers face. As such, we ask attendees to please refrain from soliciting funders or conducting lobbying activities at the event.
By attending an event hosted by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, you will enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. Upon entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.