Official Site of The State of New Jersey

This work in five words: Expanding access through statewide outreach

The Nourishing NJ’s Children project is supported by OFSA's Building Expanded Access to Nutritious School Meals (BEANS) grant program. Hunger Free New Jersey (HFNJ) is working to expand access to school and summer nutrition programs by increasing family awareness, strengthening community engagement, and supporting schools and community organizations to participate in programs that connect children with nutritious meals.

HFNJ will conduct a statewide outreach and education campaign to increase awareness of school meal and Summer EBT benefits and encourage families to complete applications, including by educating families about New Jersey's Expanded Income Eligibility guidelines. The project will engage local partners and community leaders, such as the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association (NJPTA), libraries, nonprofit, faith-based, and community-based organizations to train and engage parents, community partners, and other trusted messengers in school meal application outreach and assistance in targeted school districts. Outreach will include tailored messaging and engagement strategies for immigrant families who may face additional barriers or concerns about applying for benefits. 

To increase participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2027–2028 school year, HFNJ will collaborate with the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and state education partners to conduct targeted outreach and provide training and technical assistance to CEP-eligible schools and districts. HFNJ will also engage school districts, community organizations, and local governments to identify and recruit potential CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program sponsors and sites in underserved communities, providing training and technical assistance to interested organizations.

By strengthening outreach, building local capacity, and engaging trusted community partners, the project will help reduce barriers to program participation and expand access to school and summer nutrition programs for children and families across New Jersey. This project supports the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 3.1 Tailored Education, Outreach, and Awareness Efforts; Strategy 3.2 County-level Coordination; and Strategy 3.4  Screening and Referrals.