STATEWIDE – The North Branch of Community Food Bank, which services Hudson plus five other northern New Jersey counties, will receive $100,944 in federal funding.
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lori Grifa and New Jersey Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher announced a collaborative commitment that provides the five major food banks in the state with ‘Jersey Fresh’ fruits and vegetables. The food banks assist needy families and organizations.
More than $147,000 in federal funding is being directed to the effort.
“The state’s Food Banks serve as a safety net for many financially- and food-insecure families in New Jersey,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “This partnership with the Department of Agriculture will supplement their inventory with healthy, fresh, Jersey-grown produce. Individuals who need to locate a local soup kitchen or food pantry can search online at www.endhungernj.org.”
Funding to the food banks is based on the poverty level of the counties they serve. Twenty percent of the allocation to each food bank will be designated for fresh produce from New Jersey.
The Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee, created www.endhunger.org as a resource for food-insecure residents in New Jersey to access food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters by county. People can also call 211 or go to www.nj211.org.