Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate

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2024 Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always

Check out highlights and resources from the 2024 Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always

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It's more than a meal applicaiton it's important to submit the "school meals and summer ebt application" even if you qualified for free meals in the past or your school provides free meals for all.
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About Food Security in New Jersey

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Woman holding apple in store

Get Help with Food for You or Your Family - Explore resource sites here.

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2024 Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always

Check out highlights and resources from the 2024 Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always

Learn More
It's more than a meal applicaiton it's important to submit the "school meals and summer ebt application" even if you qualified for free meals in the past or your school provides free meals for all.
Learn More
https://placehold.co/900x300

About Food Security in New Jersey

Learn More
Woman holding apple in store

Get Help with Food for You or Your Family - Explore resource sites here.

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New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate

The New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) is a convener and collaborator building consensus across resident leaders, "food and" pantries, community kitchens, community-based organizations, the six state-designated food banks, legislators, state agencies, agriculture, food rescuers, and others to make true food security a reality for everyone.

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Food Security in New Jersey

"Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life."

Explore the state of food security in New Jersey and learn more about the origins of the above definition of food security.

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Mark Dinglasan
Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate

Meet the OFSA Team

Explore OFSA's Work

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Community Voices

OFSA is committed to strengthening relationships with NJ communities of all sizes and from every county to understand local food security goals and accomplishments, highlight community stories, and hear directly about local experiences and suggestions.

VIEW AND SHARE COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES FROM ACROSS NJ >
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Research

OFSA is committed to ensuring that information disseminated from the office and its work are grounded in research and evidence.

EXPLORE RESEARCH EFFORTS >
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Supported Initiatives

OFSA is supporting efforts to encourage families to complete a 2024-2025 School Meals and Summer EBT Application. Applying for free school meals is fast, easy, and secure. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now available. Pick up a paper application copy at your school or visit your school website to learn more.

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Funding Opportunities

Explore funding opportunities available to support the food security activities of food pantries, community kitchens, community-based organizations, growers, farmers and producers, multi-sector community collaborations, and others in New Jersey.

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Featured Funding Opportunities

Food Security Access Fund

The Food Security Access Fund was launched in 2023 to strengthen the food security system in New Jersey, uniting private philanthropies and New Jersey state agencies via a partnership with New Jersey’s Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA). This first-of-its-kind initiative in New Jersey is funded by The Tepper Foundation, Community Foundation of New Jersey, Novo Nordisk, The Taub Foundation, Hyde & Watson Foundation, The Grotta Fund for Older Adults, The Campbell's Company Foundation, The O’Toole Family Foundation, M&T Bank, Partners for Health Foundation, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey. The Call for Applications is currently closed. This spring, the Fund awarded its inaugural grants to help 16 nonprofit organizations and collaboratives build capacity and secure more public grant opportunities.

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Community Spotlight

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Hudson County Food Security Task Force: 4-H Family Learning Gardens
The 4-H Family Learning Gardens are designed to reach underserved communities in various neighborhoods across Hudson County who lack access to fresh food in their community due to multiple barriers by providing educational workshops on gardening and increased access to fresh, healthy produce. Made possible in partnership between Hudson County 4-H of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) and the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, with the support of the Parks Department, the 4-H Family Learning Gardens are a community resource offering free programs for youth and families.

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News, Updates, and Events

  • 2024 Wrapped: Together, We Made Progress
    December 24, 2024 | Update
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  • Hunger Action Month Highlight: New USDA Data Give Insights to State of Food Insecurity in New Jersey
    September 1, 2024 | Update
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  • Back and Unpacked from the 2024 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
    July 10, 2024 | Update
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  • OFSA Launches Website as Central Resource for Local, Regional and Statewide Food Security Efforts
    May 15, 2023 | Update
    Read More >
  • White House Challenge To End Hunger
    March 1, 2024 | Update
    Learn More >
  • OFSA Fireside Chat, Ep. 2: Centering Communities in Data Efforts to Inform County Food Security Work
    February 15, 2024 | Video/Podcast
    Watch >
  • New Jersey Department of Agriculture Announces $120 Summer EBT Benefit for 2024
    March 1, 2024 | News
    Read >
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