NJDA funding supports increased capacity for local food assistance organizations
HILLSIDE, NJ – February 5, 2024
Today at REPLENISH’s facility in East Brunswick, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), REPLENISH, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios, and two partners of both REPLENISH and CFBNJ – Legacy Church and Hands of Hope for the Community– gathered for a press conference celebrating CFBNJ’s latest round of Network Investment Grants.
These grants were made possible with lead support from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and additional funding from the Partners for Health Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The Network Investment Grant Initiative is a multi-year effort by CFBNJ to increase the capacity of local food assistance organizations, especially those in underserved communities, including food pantries, child and senior feeding programs, and more. This latest round of grants totals over $3.2 million to help 80 individual organizations better serve food insecure New Jerseyans. Funds will support transformative projects that significantly impact food insecurity, nutritional intake, or operational sustainability, as well as small-scale projects meant to upgrade or refurbish organizations’ existing infrastructures.
“The Network Investment Grant Initiative represents a commitment to CFBNJ’s community partners to help them address their most urgent needs while supporting their growth and expansion,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Their operations have changed significantly since the pandemic, and even today, they’re still seeing rising demand for food assistance and long lines at distributions. We’ve seen the impact that we can have by combining programs and resources to address root causes of hunger, and we’re seeking to expand that impact with this latest round of Network Investment Grants.”
REPLENISH, Middlesex County’s food bank, was selected to receive a Network Investment Grant from CFBNJ for new walk-in refrigeration. Legacy Church and Hands of Hope for the Community, both part of REPLENISH’s network, also received infrastructure grants.
“For 30 years REPLENISH has worked to be a source of nutritious and culturally appropriate food while facilitating collaborations among our partners to more effectively and efficiently serve Middlesex County residents who face financial struggles,” said REPLENISH Director Jennifer Apostol. “Thanks to the Community Food Bank of NJ’s Network Investment Grant, REPLENISH is receiving funds to procure walk in cold storage here inside our facility. The walk-in cold storage will enhance our operational efficiency by improving our capabilities to better organize and streamline our inventory.”
“The fight against food insecurity has been a top priority of my Speakership and CFBNJ has been an indispensable partner in that endeavor,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “Today demonstrated what we can achieve when we all work together, marshaling resources across the state to help our neighbors in need. Replenish will be able to scale up and serve even more local families—a perfect example of coordinated efforts among government, non-profit, philanthropic, and faith groups. When we support the frontline workers and volunteers feeding the hungry and tackling the root causes of food insecurity, we are building a brighter future for the entire state.”
“REPLENISH in conjunction with Feeding Middlesex County strive to not only improve access to food but also provide opportunities for personal growth and a higher quality of life — we’re transforming lives,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “The support of generous grants like the one we are celebrating today — to continue to bolster REPLENISH’s resources, reaching even more of our neighbors in need and expanding our capacity to combat hunger.”
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The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America® and the state’s largest anti-hunger organization, has been delivering food, help, and hope across the Garden State for nearly 50 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 90 million meals through its network of more than 800 community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, child and senior nutrition programs, and more, serving 11 New Jersey counties directly and four in partnership with affiliate food banks. It also addresses the root causes of food insecurity with supportive services like nutrition education, job training, SNAP outreach, and hygiene product distribution. By delivering neighbor- centered solutions and collaborating with all sectors of society, CFBNJ believes that food insecurity is a solvable problem.