Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Collaboratively constructing a measure of the intensity of food insecurity in three New Jersey counties

The Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) has engaged the Trenton Health Team (THT) to support county-level system evaluation and mapping efforts. Together, we are working on a project to collaboratively construct a food insecurity index level to measure the intensity of food insecurity in three New Jersey counties (Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset).

The index will help partner organizations, such as food banks, food pantries, and health providers, make data-driven decisions about how best to meet the community's food needs. This project will build off previous work done in Passaic and Mercer County.

The index construction will happen in multiple steps including variable selection, variable reduction, and block group clustering. Input from food system stakeholders from each of the three participating counties will be incorporated throughout each of the key steps for index construction. THT and stakeholders will collectively and collaboratively identify the most food insecure areas and discern the difference between them.

Project Partner: Trenton Health Team

Exploring agency and sustainability in New Jersey to inform measurement and strategic planning

OFSA is partnering with the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact (CNHI) to conduct a study looking at challenges in New Jersey with food access and food choices (i.e., Agency) and the sustainability of the food system for future generations (i.e., Sustainability). As part of this project, CNHI will interview community members and organizational representatives across the food system in New Jersey (e.g., food banks, food manufacturers, agriculture, grocery stores, hospitals/schools, etc.) and conduct a review of relevant reports. This work will help CNHI provide guidance on strategic planning for the OFSA and identify ways to measure Agency and Sustainability in New Jersey.

Project partner: Center for Nutrition & Health Impact

Advancing organizational and systems change for New Jersey community food hubs

Since September 2023, More Than Food Consulting (MTFC) has partnered with the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) to build consensus, collaboration, and trust with charitable food leaders across the state. In the first year, MTFC conducted capacity assessments, provided peer learning opportunities, and provided trainings with various food banks and pantries statewide. Beginning in September 2024, the More Than Food Consulting team has been supporting OFSA in strategic visioning for long-term solutions to food insecurity. Members of MTFC attended the Garden State Conference on Food Security in October 2024 (watch here) and conducted several site visits with local food pantry partners. MTFC will continue to serve as a thought partner and liaison between OFSA and the charitable food network of New Jersey. The MTFC team will also work closely with the OFSA to build upon partnerships with local agriculture, philanthropy, corporate partners, and social service providers to develop strategic plans for the state. 

Project partner: More Than Food Consulting

Identifying the barriers and strategies to increase SNAP Participation in families enrolled in free and reduced-cost school meals

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, conducted an exploratory study to assess barriers to signing up for SNAP among families participating in free and reduced school meals. The primary objective of this study was to better understand why families who likely qualify for SNAP are not participating in this food assistance program, otherwise referred to as the SNAP Gap. The second objective was to evaluate the feasibility of engaging schools to assist in increasing SNAP awareness and participation among eligible families. While this was an exploratory study and not meant to be generalizable, the findings represent recurring themes identified during 19 online and in-person caregiver focus groups, conducted in English and Spanish, and five interviews with county SNAP administrators across NJ. Schools were provided funding and asked to hold SNAP educational events that engaged families in a culturally sensitive and stigma-free way. There was a total of 17 events hosted with approximately 4,500 individuals reached. The schools found creative ways to incorporate SNAP outreach and education through events focused on culture, sports, wellness, and literacy. When possible, representatives of SNAP Navigator programs, local Boards of Social Services and Legal Services of New Jersey attended the events. These events contributed to greater awareness among attendees and school staff about SNAP benefits and processes.

Project Partner: Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Summarizing Existing Food Security Literature and Public Data for Community Use

Working in partnership, the Office of the Food Security Advocate and Hunger Solutions Consulting conducted a structured review of existing literature and data, and summarized this information into easy-to-use resources for communities. The aim of this work is to create a centralized hub where entities in New Jersey can find streamlined information necessary to advance impactful and equitable policy solutions, systems changes, and programs aimed at enhancing food security. Materials included in the review span academic articles, news and media, case studies, recommendation reports, policies, best practices, and local, state, and federal datasets. The resources available through this review can help partners to quickly digest information about the six dimensions of food security  and find the data and information they need to support their food security work.

Project partners: Hunger Solutions Consulting