New Jersey Hunger Relief Partnership Expands Fresh Food Access

A statewide collaboration between New Jersey food banks, agricultural partners, and state agencies is helping keep fresh produce on local tables.

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.