NJEDA Board Approves $30 Million Program to Strengthen Food Security and Access in NJ Food Desert Communities

FEED NJ will provide grants of up to $500,000 to entities at the forefront of food access work

Information and application webinar will be held on January 27^th

TRENTON, N.J. (January 16, 2025) - Last month, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved the creation of the Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) Pilot Program, a $30 million competitive grant program that will support food security projects in New Jersey's Food Desert Communities (FDCs). Building on the success of the NJEDA's Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program, FEED NJ will award grants of up to $500,000 to for-profit and nonprofit entities working to improve residents' ability to access fresh, affordable, and healthy food.

"Expanding access to healthy and affordable food in every New Jersey community is crucially important to the continued economic security and health of our state," said Governor Phil Murphy. "The projects that will receive grant funding through FEED NJ will increase availability of affordable food in the communities that need it most, alleviating the strain on families and creating a stronger and fairer New Jersey."

"Under Governor Murphy's leadership, the NJEDA is focused on supporting those living in New Jersey's Food Desert Communities by creating innovative programs that increase access to nutritious, affordable food and support local organizations committed to ending hunger," said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. "FEED NJ expands the NJEDA's robust toolkit of programs that bolster food security in the state, improving the well-being of countless families, uplifting communities, and contributing to economic vitality."

Applicants to FEED NJ must primarily focus their projects on serving residents of the highest-need FDCs, which are spread across eight counties, comprise portions of 11 municipalities, and are home to 567,349 residents. Four cities - Camden, Newark, Trenton, and Paterson - are represented more than once, encompassing 10 of the top FDCs. The Primary Focus FDCs are:

Rank	Food Desert Name
1	North, Central and South Camden/Woodlynne
3	Newark South
4	Newark West
5	Camden East/Pennsauken
6	Trenton West
7	Newark North and Central
8	Newark East
9	Salem city
10	Passaic city
11	Trenton East
12	Bridgeton/Fairfield Twp/Lawrence Twp
13	Paterson South
14	New Brunswick city
15	Paterson North

Applicants may also elect to serve additional FDCs, provided the primary focus remains on at least one of these 14 FDCs. Atlantic City/Ventnor, the second-highest ranked FDC, is excluded from this list as it is the sole focus of NJEDA's existing Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program.

A map showing geographic boundaries of the Primary Focus FDCs can be accessed here.

The NJEDA's list of New Jersey's 50 FDCs, which was created in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and approved by the NJEDA Board in 2022, considers more than 24 variables related to the food retail environment, demographics, and economic, health, and community factors. A full list and map of all 50 FDCs is available on the FEED NJ website.

"Dismantling food insecurity in New Jersey remains our top priority, as every resident deserves access to nutritious and reliable food sources," said Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex). "FEED NJ demonstrates the power of investing in local solutions and community-driven initiatives. By targeting the regions of the state most in need, we are able to provide tailored support that directly addresses even the most unique challenges."

FEED NJ is a competitively scored program. Applicants must be for-profit or nonprofit entities that have been in existence for at least two years. Grant funding, which can be used for direct or indirect costs, can be utilized for both new and existing food security initiatives including, but not limited to, expanding access to locally grown produce, purchasing equipment for food provision, or establishing a food co-op or mobile market. For a complete list of program requirements and scoring criteria, and to sign up for FEED NJ updates, visit https://www.njeda.gov/feednj.

The NJEDA is hosting a FEED NJ information and application webinar on Monday, January 27^th at 2 P.M. The webinar will provide further details on program specifics, eligibility requirements, and applications. To register for the webinar, click here.

"True food security becomes a reality when all New Jerseyans, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to safe and nutritious food. Through its tax incentive programs and direct funding initiatives such as FEED NJ, the NJEDA has been a leader in building food security in our state," said NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate Executive Director Mark Dinglasan. "FEED NJ is the latest example of the NJEDA's and the Murphy Administration's ongoing commitment to helping all NJ families live healthier, fuller lives, no matter which community they call home. My team and I are eager to support our NJEDA colleagues and the FEED NJ program in every way possible."

"The FEED NJ Pilot Program represents a vital step toward addressing hunger and food security as a public health priority," said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM. "By expanding access to nutritious and affordable food in food desert communities, this initiative has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and enhance the well-being of families across our state. The Department of Health is proud to support this transformative program, and we look forward to its impact under Governor Murphy's leadership."

"Communities cannot thrive without access to grocery stores that provide fresh produce and high-quality food for residents and workers," said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "The Department of Community Affairs believes in a 'Housing First' approach, which encompasses all essential elements that contribute to a stable household, including access to nutritious food. We understand that improving food access will have a profound and positive impact on the health and well-being of those living in these communities."

"Every New Jersey resident deserves to have easy access to healthy and nutritious food," New Jersey Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn said. "The Governor's FEED NJ initiative will continue to build upon investments made by the state and federal government supporting local food purchase opportunities. The Department of Agriculture is committed to strengthening the relationships between consumers and the state's farmers, by working with the EDA on programs like FEED NJ, we ensure that the state's agriculture community grows as we improve access and distribution of healthy foods to our communities."

"FEED NJ continues the Murphy Administration's whole-of-government commitment to improve access to affordable and nutritious food for all residents. Healthy food should not be a luxury and yet there are still communities that lack access to this very basic necessity," said New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. "The FEED NJ program will not only help improve food access in communities that need it, but will provide organizations on the frontlines of food access work with the support needed to grow."

FEED NJ is funded with $30 million in proceeds from the NJEDA's 2023 and 2024 Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auctions, which were authorized by the Food Desert Relief Act of 2021. FEED NJ will complement the NJEDA's robust toolkit of existing programs taking different approaches to expanding food access, which includes the Food Security Planning Grant Program, Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program, Food Desert Relief Supermarket Tax Credit Program, and the Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant (FRIDG) Program.

For more information on the NJEDA's food security programs, visit https://www.njeda.gov/food-security-programs.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State's principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey's long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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