The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is proud to lead the way in a statewide program that provides locally produced fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins to hungry New Jerseyans. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) was signed by the NJDA and the USDA in November 2022, with CFBNJ serving as the program’s subrecipient agency.
CFBNJ uses funds from LFPA to purchase food from socially disadvantaged New Jersey farmers and producers for distribution in underserved communities. In coordination with the Office of the Food Security Advocate and the state’s other food banks, CFBNJ ensures that agricultural products purchased through LFPA reach people in need in all 21 New Jersey counties.
In January through March of 2024 alone, nearly 180,000 pounds of LFPA food reached more than 160 municipalities across the state. The Common Market and the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative serve as key collaborators in the program’s procurement, research, outreach, and relationship development activities.
In addition to feeding our neighbors, LFPA also benefits producers who may face barriers to accessing markets, resources, and support services. The program seeks to create a fairer statewide food system by increasing their capacities to build thriving businesses.
Hannah Conner and Joey Soto are first generation farmers and the owners of Ramblin Sol, a small certified organic farm in Cream Ridge. They grow more than 50 kinds of fruits and vegetables and provide 100 fresh produce boxes per week, through CFBNJ and LFPA, to three Fulfill (the food bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties) partner pantries. Ramblin Sol is part woman-owned and part Latino-owned.
“LFPA has really helped us answer some of the financial questions we’ve had. Our biggest challenge right now is stability,” they said. “We love growing food, but the logistics of getting the food to the right people are really complicated, so LFPA is really helping us out with that. The relationship has been great.”
CFBNJ works with dozens of current and potential vendors, like the Urban Agriculture Cooperative in Newark, which aggregates produce from several small, socially disadvantaged producers. The Cooperative recently supplied produce boxes for weekly distribution to pantries throughout Essex County. Other LFPA vendors identify as emerging producers, such as Elevate Farms in Orange, which supplied hydroponically grown lettuce mix during the off season, and Hun-Val Farm LLC, a small dairy operation in Ringoes that has provided blocks of cheddar cheese.
“LFPA is creating a unique opportunity that helps those who are less represented in the agricultural community to be able to contribute to the food system so that we can really have a healthy, thriving local food economy,” Hannah and Joey added.
