Fresh, locally grown produce is reaching more New Jersey families thanks to a powerful New Jersey hunger relief partnership focused on fighting food insecurity and strengthening food access across the Garden State. Mercer Street Friends joined the four other New Jersey Feeding America food banks — Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, and Norwescap — at America’s Grow-a-Row alongside the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to celebrate the successful first year of a transformative partnership aimed at improving produce sourcing and distribution across New Jersey.

One Year of Impact

Over the past year, the partnership has worked to ensure that more fresh fruits and vegetables grown in New Jersey stay in New Jersey communities. Through coordinated sourcing, distribution, and collaboration between food banks and agricultural partners, the percentage of America’s Grow-a-Row produce retained within the state increased from 34% to 63%.

As a result, more than 2.6 million pounds of fresh produce have reached neighbors facing food insecurity across New Jersey — expanding access to nutritious food while supporting local agriculture and strengthening regional food systems.

This collaboration highlights what is possible when nonprofits, state agencies and agricultural organizations work together toward a shared mission: ensuring every family has access to fresh, healthy food.

To learn more about this statewide initiative, visit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey blog.

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Mercer Street Friends continues to lead the way in Central New Jersey, expanding vital programs and strengthening our ability to serve the community – even in the face of growing need.

2025 brought both challenge and response. When a government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits last fall, families suddenly faced empty cupboards. In that moment, Mercer Street Friends and our 150+ pantry partners mobilized quickly to ensure emergency food reached those who needed it most.

That spirit of action, collaboration, and care runs throughout this year’s Impact Report.

Inside, you’ll meet “Mr. Mac,” a 90-year-old longtime employee whose daily presence continues to inspire our team, learn how a transformative state grant is doubling our Community School footprint in Mercer County, and see how partners like America’s Grow-A-Row and MARC helped bring fresh, locally grown produce to New Jersey families.

Across every story, one theme is clear: our work is strongest when it is connected. Food, family, and education programs do not operate in silos – they work together to support the whole person and the whole community.

We invite you to explore the full Impact Report to see how, together, we are nourishing minds and bodies; empowering families and communities across Mercer County.

Download and read your copy here.

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Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit organization serving families and individuals across Mercer County through food, family, and education services, proudly announced Randall West as new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. West succeeds Bernie Flynn, who served as Chief Executive Officer beginning in February 2020. Flynn will remain involved and support the transition as a member of Mercer Street Friends’ Board of Trustees.

West joined Mercer Street Friends in April 2025 as Chief Administrative Officer and immersed himself in the organization’s operations, programs, and mission, working alongside Flynn to continue to foster a collaborative, goal-driven culture rooted in strategic focus and shared purpose.

Randall West, Incoming Mercer Street Friends CEO

West will put his many years of entrepreneurial and business experience as well as volunteer board service to work for the organization at a time when the need for access to food, vital educational support, and family services continues to grow. He is committed to leading with integrity to further Mercer Street Friends’ mission to nourish minds and bodies; empower families and communities.

“I am thrilled to assume this position and will follow the highly successful path forward initiated by Bernie Flynn, that addresses food insecurity throughout the County while helping our youth and their families in our Preschool, six Community Schools, and through our Parenting programs,” said West. “Mercer Street Friends has been rooted in Trenton and Mercer County since 1958. It is an honor to work with our outstanding Board of Trustees, staff, and dedicated benefactors to continue our legacy of serving the urgent needs of the community.”

Outside of his role at Mercer Street Friends, West serves on the board of Second Baptist Church in Moorestown and served on the boards of The First Tee of Greater Trenton and the Ford Minority Dealer Association. He was a representative of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). His volunteer service reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening communities through mentorship, service, and strategic leadership.

“We welcome Randall as CEO at this pivotal time in our organization’s history,” said Kenneth Blackwell, Board Chair for Mercer Street Friends. “Rooted in our Quaker values, and thanks to the exceptional leadership and stewardship of Bernie Flynn, we are embarking on a new chapter that promises our neighbors and partners that we stand together with them to lift up Trenton and Mercer County through food, family, and education.”

“Recognizing Randall’s passion for and commitment to community service and our mission, I am pleased he will assume the leadership role at Mercer Street Friends,” said Flynn. “I welcome the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees and lend my support during the transition as our organization begins the next chapter in its long history of serving the people of Mercer County.”

West earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and completed the Advanced Management Education Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He and his wife Jaye reside in Moorestown, N.J.

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This funding opportunity, made possible through support from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA), is designed to help Mercer County expand food distribution programs, strengthen operational capacity, advance choice-based pantry models, and broaden services. The FY26 Capacity Investment Grant supports initiatives that increase access to nutritious food, improve client choice and dignity, enhance community-based food distribution systems, and promote long-term health outcomes for residents facing food insecurity.

Hunger relief organizations serving Mercer County are encouraged to review the full grant proposal and apply, if eligible. This funding represents a critical opportunity to increase impact, expand reach, and strengthen the local food security network.

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As Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer at NJM Insurance Group, Sanjay oversees Information Technology, Information Security, and the company’s Project Management and Customer Experience departments. He leads NJM’s technology and digital transformation initiatives in support of the organization’s strategic goals, with a strong focus on enhancing the policyholder experience.

Sanjay’s career with NJM began in 2005 when he joined the company as a Lead Solutions Architect. Over the years, he has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Assistant Vice President, PMO, and Vice President of Strategic Alignment and Execution. His steady progression reflects both his technical expertise and his ability to align innovation with organizational strategy.

He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in electrical & electronic engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani. Sanjay is also a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), a certified Sigma Black Belt, and has earned the LEAD certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is fluent in Hindi and Tamil.

“Sanjay’s extensive background in digital transformation, strategic execution, and customer experience will be instrumental in supporting Mercer Street Friends’ continued growth and innovation” says Ken Blackwell, Board Chair. “His 20 years of expertise honed at NJM, and his passion for creating and cultivating strong teams will help the Board further strengthen its operational excellence, advance forward-thinking initiatives, and ensure Mercer Street Friends remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.”

Welcome to the Mercer Street Friends team, Sanjay! We are proud to have you on our Board of Trustees as we nourish minds and bodies; empower families and communities.

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This funding opportunity, made possible through support from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA), is designed to help Mercer County expand food distribution programs, strengthen operational capacity, advance choice-based pantry models, and broaden services. The FY26 Capacity Investment Grant supports initiatives that increase access to nutritious food, improve client choice and dignity, enhance community-based food distribution systems, and promote long-term health outcomes for residents facing food insecurity.

Hunger relief organizations serving Mercer County are encouraged to review the full grant proposal and apply, if eligible. This funding represents a critical opportunity to increase impact, expand reach, and strengthen the local food security network.

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Weber previously served as Senior Director of Food Security and Health Equity at Norwescap as well as Chief Administrative Officer at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. She is a well-respected leader among New Jersey’s five Feeding America food banks, notably spearheading the statewide task force to increase America’s Grow-A-Row’s fresh produce distributed in New Jersey by more than 85% to 2.6 million pounds to help neighbors in need.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to the Mercer Street Friends team,” said Bernie Flynn, CEO of Mercer Street Friends. “Her extensive food banking and senior leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our organization. As we continue to expand to meet the growing needs of our neighbors, I am confident Lisa will bring valuable perspective, strong leadership, and an innovative mindset to our work.”

Weber’s role reflects Mercer Street Friends’ ongoing commitment to addressing the rising need for food assistance in Mercer County.

• In 2025 alone, the organization distributed more than 6.5 million meals and 7 million pounds of food to 140,000 residents, including children, veterans, and seniors.
• Each month, over 7,000 Send Hunger Packing (SHUP) weekend food bags reach students in more than 40 local schools.
• Since March 2020, the nonprofit has distributed over 400,000 Community Food bags, providing enough supplies for 16 meals per family recipient.
• In November 2025, Mercer Street Friends led the SNAP emergency food relief efforts in Mercer County, distributing over 1,500 food bags – totaling 42,250 pounds of food – in just three days.

“I am proud to join Mercer Street Friends in its mission of nourishing minds and bodies; empowering families and communities,” said Weber. “I look forward to bringing my experience, passion, and commitment to this role, and working with the team to build systems that ensure every family in Mercer County has consistent access to healthy, nutritious food.”

Prior to her work in New Jersey’s food banking network, Weber spent nearly 13 years at Prudential Financial, where she concluded her tenure as Vice President of Talent Acquisition. She served as an Advocate and on the Board of Trustees for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), advocating for children in the foster care system who have experienced neglect and hardship.

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During a time of crisis in our country, Coretta Scott King once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Today, her words ring just as true.

For the first time on November 1, federal SNAP benefits, a critical safety net for families, were not available for use. Thanks to the State of New Jersey, these cards have since been fully funded for November for New Jersey residents, providing much-needed relief. And as of Wednesday night, the federal government shutdown, the longest in our history, is now over. Yet the threat to SNAP still looms, and families continue to rely on our services more than ever.

But in all the darkness, we see a light. The past few weeks have shown us the true greatness, strength, and resilience in our community.

Thank you to every donor, volunteer, neighbor, and friend who stepped up and came together to support one another during this unprecedented time of need.

Because of your generosity, Mercer Street Friends was able to respond quickly and effectively to our neighbors in need. Through three emergency food distributions, we served 1,270 Mercer County families, distributing hundreds Community Food Bags – along with fresh Jersey produce and eggs – totaling 42,250 pounds of food.

Your contributions directly supported the distribution of food and deployment of services where they were needed most. As we move into the holiday season – a time when the need is already high – your support will continue to fuel our mission and sustain our neighbors.

While we can only hope that this is the last time our community faces a crisis like this, Mercer Street Friends promises to continue rising to the occasion – showing up, standing up, and lifting up those who need it most today, tomorrow, and in the future – no matter what.

We can do this because of you – our extraordinary community.

Thank you.

We need your support as we continue to meet the needs of our neighbors.

Donate Here

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As many Mercer County families continue to face uncertainty amid the ongoing pause in SNAP benefits, Mercer Street Friends is stepping up to ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious food and essential resources.

In partnership with the City of Trenton, Mercer Street Friends will host an Emergency Food Distribution on Monday, November 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Pavilion in Cadwalader Park (36 Parkside, Trenton, NJ 08618). Please be sure to bring your SNAP EBT (food stamp) card.

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Should the federal government shutdown continue, the impact on our children, seniors, those with disabilities, veterans, and families will be severe. Mercer Street Friends, with the steadfast help of our community, must ensure that our neighbors do not go hungry.

With over 100 pantry partners throughout Trenton and Mercer County, we must be ready. And we will be.

Please consider a gift today to Mercer Street Friends. Your gift will be deployed to our community to fight the realities and the urgency of hunger.

Thank you,

Bernie Flynn, CEO

Donate Today

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