From transformative programs during the pandemic to much-needed efforts since, the
N.J. Economic Development Authority has taken an important stand: Food initiatives are
a part of an economic agenda — not just social programs.
The latest example of this came last week, when it announced the board of the EDA
had recently approved more than $20.6 million in grant awards to 50 organizations
under the Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey, a pilot program
better known as FEED NJ.
The awards are the first set of approvals under the $30 million FEED NJ program and
will support food security projects in New Jersey’s 14 most acute Food Desert
Communities, catalyzing innovative, sustainable, and scalable food access initiatives in
underserved areas. The total funding of $30 million is one of the largest investments in
recent years dedicated to strengthening New Jersey’s food security infrastructure.
Each of the 50 awardees under FEED NJ will receive awards of up to $500,000 and will
primarily focus their projects on serving residents of one or more of the highest-need
FDCs, which are spread across seven counties, comprise portions of 12 municipalities,
and are home to 567,349 residents.
Primary Focus FDCs include portions of Bridgeton, Camden, Fairfield Township,
Lawrence Township, Newark, New Brunswick, Passaic City, Paterson, Pennsauken,
Salem City, Trenton and Woodlynne.
The first round of awards will also serve 25 additional FDCs such as Elizabeth,
Irvington, Jersey City, Lakewood and Perth Amboy, though the primary focus of each
applicant’s project will remain on at least one of the Primary Focus FDCs. Atlantic
City/Ventnor, the second-highest ranked FDC, is not designated as a Primary Focus
FDC as it is the sole focus of NJEDA’s existing Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot
Program.
Additional awards totaling approximately $9.4 million will be made at a later date.
Grantees’ projects include creating new or expanded food pantries and mobile markets,
partnering with farmers to bring locally grown food to New Jersey residents, buying new
delivery vehicles and trucks, and growing meal recovery initiatives.
Gov. Phil Murphy applauded the announcement.
“My administration has been laser-focused on erasing systemic barriers that limit
access to affordable, healthy food options,” he said. “By expanding food access in New
Jersey communities, we will improve quality-of-life for residents and strengthen our
economic security, creating a stronger and fairer Garden State.”
EDA CEO Tim Sullivan said expanding the organization’s food security toolkit to combat
hunger through innovative approaches has helped strengthen the economy while
expanding access.
“From establishing mobile markets to renovating community food pantries, the creative
initiatives to bolster food security funded through FEED NJ will give a boost to local
organizations and ensure they have the resources to support underserved communities
for the long-term,” he said.
Sullivan, in a recent end-of-the-administration recap of the EDA under Murphy, said he
was proud of the fact that the EDA has broadened what economic development means.
Tara Colton, who has taken the lead on so many of these programs as the EDA’s chief
economic security officer, praised the program.
“Through innovative and community-driven programs like FEED NJ, the NJEDA
continues to make historic investments to bolster food security efforts across the state,
recognizing that access to fresh, affordable food is both an economic and social
imperative,” she said.
“The awards under FEED NJ will expand incredible food access initiatives by nonprofits
and private companies into underserved communities, helping expand economic
opportunity for countless families.”
The EDA recently allocated $900,000 to help food banks in wake of the SNAP funding
issue.
