The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) on Tuesday announced it is deploying $900,000 in emergency funding to the state’s six Emergency Feeding Organizations (EFOs). The vital infusion of cash comes as New Jersey faces a dual crisis: the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown, compounded by statewide public school closures this week.
The crisis immediately affects approximately 813,000 New Jerseyans, including 340,000 children, who rely on SNAP benefits to buy food.
The funding is designed to bolster food banks’ capacity just as a significant number of children lose access to daily school meals.
- Federal SNAP Benefits: The federal government shutdown has resulted in the suspension of November SNAP benefits, forcing families who depend on the program to turn to local food banks.
- School Closures: All 568 school districts are closed Thursday and Friday for the annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Conference, with many more closed earlier in the week. Over 533,000 children are enrolled in the free or reduced school meals program, and without school in session, these children lose access to what may be those meals of the day.
Gov. Phil Murphy stressed the urgency of the situation.
“Across New Jersey, hundreds of thousands of families are grappling with the fallout of the unprecedented failure to fully and consistently fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown,” Murphy said. “This infusion of funding from the NJEDA will help food banks remain open and stocked. No one should go hungry in New Jersey.”
The $900,000 in funding, drawn from the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget’s appropriation for Food and Agriculture Innovation, will be distributed to the six EFOs using the same allocation methodology as the recently announced FY26 Food and Hunger Grants.
| Emergency Feeding Organization | Funding Amount |
| Community Food Bank of New Jersey | $477,000 |
| Food Bank of South Jersey | $135,000 |
| Fulfill Monmouth & Ocean | $135,000 |
| Mercer Street Friends Food Bank | $99,000 |
| Norwescap | $27,000 |
| Southern Regional Food Distribution Center | $27,000 |
NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan stated the allocation is an “all-hands on deck situation,” and urged private sector and philanthropic entities to join the state’s efforts to ensure food access for families.
The state is continuing to monitor the federal situation closely. November SNAP benefits are not yet available, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture must take further action to release contingency funds.
SNAP recipients can find updates on their benefits by checking their account at NJFamiliesFirst.com, calling 800-997-3333, or visiting njsnap.gov or nj.gov/snapshutdown. Residents needing immediate food assistance are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211.
