helping-Food SecurityLive Plants are EBT SNAP Benefit eligible on AmazonLeading efforts to create partnerships across
public, private, nonprofit and community to work in collaboration towards food solutions.
Food insecurity is a term used by the USDA to describe when people don't have enough food to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from. In the United States, over 44 million people, including 13 million children, experience food insecurity annually.
Some methods for assessing food security include:
Food insecurity is measured at two levels of severity:
Some indicators of food insecurity include:
Some tools for assessing food security include:
Some ways to reduce food insecurity include:
At a time when more New Jerseyans are struggling to put food on the table, RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey, is the first health care provider to expand efforts to reduce hunger by enhancing access to healthy food and health education for eligible residents through its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Navigators.
RWJBarnabas Health is proud to be the only health system in New Jersey to offer SNAP Navigator services at each of its acute care hospitals. Click here to read more. Philanthropic commitments allow us to continue to provide opportunities to create healthier communities. Thank you for your past support! 
Articles
How grocers can tackle food accessibility challenges Food Insecurity Remains Elevated After Pandemic-Era Benefits End Hunger in AmericaIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment and food insecurity soared. In 2021, 53 million people turned to food banks and community programs for help putting food on the table. Food Insecurity and Poverty in the US - Feeding America https://www.feedingamerica.org Inflation could put more Canadians at risk of going hungry Food banks in Toronto and Calgary are seeing a surge in demand as food prices soar https://canadiangrocer.com/inflation-could-put-more-canadians-risk-going-hungry Global FEED goods give millions of meals to children around the globe. 126,633,395 school meals given to date (and counting). https://feedprojects.com/ Local News 47 Bergen Food Pantries Will Split $500,000 Grant Nonprofits dedicated to fighting hunger in Bergen County will split half a million dollars in federal grant money. Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff Posted Wed, Mar 9, 2022 at 8:00 am ET The money will help 47 organizations across Bergen county purchase supplies and update their infrastructure. These nonprofits include food pantries, food delivery, and meal distribution services. BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Nonprofits dedicated to fighting hunger in Bergen County will split half a million dollars in federal grant money, according to a news release from the county commissioners' office. County commissioners unanimously approved $503,000 in grant funds last Tuesday. The money will help 47 organizations across the county purchase supplies and update their infrastructure. These nonprofits include food pantries, food delivery, and meal distribution services. The county did not specify if the split was even, or if certain organizations would receive more than others. If the money is split evenly, that gives each charity about $10,702. Last fall, the Bergen County Food Security Task Force set up the grant program with American Rescue Act funds.
Feeding America is a United States–based nonprofit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies. Forbes ranks it as the second largest U.S. charity by revenue. New JerseyGrant from NJ Food Security Initiative will support navigators to assist with SNAP enrollment in all 12 system hospitals Looking back, looking ahead Thank you for being a part of the fight to end food waste and hunger in 2023! Here’s what we did together this year:
Webinar Recording Now Available View our virtual panel discussion on how to repair a broken food system, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide nutrient dense produce to those in need, and strengthen the bond between neighbors and their communities. Panelists shared their insights and strategies for scaling up food recovery efforts and making a significant impact in the fight against hunger and food waste. Food banks are continuing to see large numbers of people needing food assistance. If you've planted a garden, think about growing more to feed more. If you can't grow a garden, share AmpleHarvest.org on social media, volunteer, or donate. Every act of kindness counts. Food for Thought People with food insecurity deserve better nutrition education Starting a vegetable garden benefits health, environment Pamela Anderson's expert-approved vegetable planting technique is a masterclass in kitchen gardening Include gardening in your New Year’s resolution Finding the Good A tiny house with a giant garden feeds many mouths in Minneapolis These students are feeding hungry people while preventing food waste The Need Food pantries facing demand surge during the holiday season Despite strong economic signs, food pantry lines are still growing in the Gulf South Hungry for the holidays: Food insecurity spikes in America even as inflation rate slows Articles NY on food deserts:Food Deserts in New York City – Food Deserts (food-deserts.com)
Articles NJ on food deserts:NJEDA AWARDS FIRST GRANT UNDER INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN FOOD SECURITY IN NEWARK NJEDA announces $1M in grants toward addressing food deserts NJEDA BOARD APPROVES FOOD DESERT RELIEF TAX CREDIT PROGRAM RULES, AUTHORIZES TAX CREDIT SALE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PILOT GRANT PROGRAM FOOD SECURITY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM Eligibility for this grant program is limited to Municipal government, County government and Redevelopment agencies whose jurisdiction includes all or part of a designated Food Desert Community. To be considered for this competitive planning grant, eligible entities are required to collaborate with their community stakeholders and develop an actionable plan that addresses the challenges around food access and food security. NJEDA BOARD APPROVES CREATION OF THE FOOD SECURITY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM 47 Bergen Food Pantries Will Split $500,000 Grant: Commissioners Nonprofits dedicated to fighting hunger in Bergen County will split half a million dollars in federal grant money. NJ To Offer Up To $240 Million To Aid Food Security In ‘Deserts’ February 22, 2022 Newark to provide $2M in grants to fight food insecurity, food deserts Bergen County Food Deserts: Fairview Makes The List NJ Has 1.5 Million People Living In 'Food Deserts,' Officials Say NJEDA approves enhancements to Sustain & Serve program; to open Phase 3 funding A Novel Pilot Brings Vertical Farms to Public Housing 10.21 Jersey City is trying a new approach to bring healthier eating to low-income communities: on-site indoor farms. NJ CEO Council March 9, 2022 - ITEM: Proposed Food Desert Communities under the Food Desert Relief Act REQUEST: To approve the list, map, and methodology designating 50 New Jersey Food Desert Communities, as required by the Food Desert Relief Act. This list will be used in full or in part to determine communities eligible for tax credits, grants, loans, and/or technical assistance under the Food Desert Relief Act and may be used in full or in part to determine eligibility for other future NJEDA food security programs. New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s listening sessions on the Food Desert Relief Act. You can find recordings of the two listening sessions at https://youtu.be/kyRd9uWj3VU for Jan. 12, and https://youtu.be/vqAQKaVIjpI for Jan. 13. Additional information on the Food Desert Relief Act can be found at Program Specific Feedback - NJEDA We are accepting written feedback on our proposed Food Desert Community designation list through February 4, 2022. New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) For information about NJEDA’s products and services, please visit us on the web: www.njeda.com On Tuesday 1/4/22, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) released a ranked list of 50 proposed food deserts across the state, where residents have been struggling to find healthy eating options. NEW JERSEY — Sometimes hunger hides in plain sight. Thanks to supply chain woes caused by the coronavirus pandemic, many New Jersey residents have found themselves returning from trips to the grocery store without key items over the past year: vegetables, fruits and freshly prepared, healthy meals. But that’s just a small taste of what it’s like to live in a “food desert.” On Tuesday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) released a ranked list of 50 proposed food deserts across the state, where residents have been struggling to find healthy eating options long before the pandemic began The communities on the list are all facing a different combination of problems. Some lack enough healthy options at local supermarkets. Others are plagued by an oversaturation of fast food restaurants. And some simply don’t have any way for people without cars to get to the grocery store in the first place. But they all have something in common, advocates say. Hopefully, a massive wave of state funding will help to turn things around, NJEDA officials said. Over the next several years, an estimated $240 million in funds will be made available to communities on the list through the Food Desert Relief Act, which is part of the Economic Recovery Act signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in January 2021. |
See the full list with ranking scores here. See an interactive online map with the proposed locations here.
1 - North, Central and SouthCamden/Woodlynne* 2 - Atlantic City/Ventnor 3 - Newark South 4 - Newark West 5 - Paterson South 6 - Camden East/Pennsauken 7 - Newark East 8 - Newark North and Central 9 - Passaic City 10 - Salem City* 11 - Paterson North 12 - Bridgeton/Fairfield Twp/Lawrence Twp* 13 - New Brunswick City 14 - Trenton City 15 - Elizabeth East 16 - Asbury Park City 17 - Jersey City South 18 - Penns Grove*/Carneys Point* 19 - Perth Amboy City 20 - Irvington Township 21 - Elizabeth West 22 - Union City 23 - Lindenwold/Clementon* 24 - Lakewood North 25 - Pleasantville/Absecon26 - Red Bank Borough 27 - East Orange City 28 - Orange/West Orange/Montclair 29 - North Bergen/West New York/Guttenberg 30 - Long Branch City 31 - Jersey City North 32 - Jersey City Central 33 - Woodbine Borough* 34 - Millville/Commercial Twp* 35 - Keansburg Borough* 36 - Prospect Park/Haledon/Hawthorne 37 - Paulsboro Borough 38 - Lakewood South 39 - Fairview Borough 40 - Linden/Roselle 41 - Egg Harbor City* 42 - Burlington City 43 - Vineland City 44 - Plainfield City 45 - Phillipsburg Town 46 - Bayonne City 47 - Dover Town 48 - Bound Brook Borough 49 - High Bridge Borough 50 - Montague Township* 
Click here to Buy Bonnie Plants on Amazon
Rockland County New YorkHere are a few opportunities as suggested by Volunteer New York!:
Flexible schedule Volunteers to Clean Coolers Meals on Wheels of Rockland Nanuet Flexible schedule Food Pantry Coordinator LIFE Progressive Services Mount Vernon For a list of all the ways to give back this holiday season, visit Volunteer New York's Holiday Volunteering website. COMMUNITY TOWNS Central Rockland Bardonia, Congers, Nanuet, New City, Valley Cottage, West Nyack Eastern Rockland Nyack, Piermont Northern Rockland Garnerville, Haverstraw, Pomona, Stony Point, Thiells Southern Rockland Blauvelt, Orangeburg, Pearl River Spring Valley Spring Valley Western Rockland Airmont, Monsey, Sloatsburg, Suffern, Tallman Kosher Pantries Monsey, New Square, West Nyack 
B.R.i.D.G.E.S
Beth Rapha’s Outreach Program Capabilities Partnership Food Pantry Catholic Community Services of Rockland Center for Safety and Change Christ Church of Ramapo Soup Kitchen Crystal Run Village, Inc. Fairmount Baptist Church Food Pantry French Speaking Baptist Church Food Pantry Haverstraw Parent Group Food Pantry Hudson Valley Community Services Iglesia La Mision Food Pantry Immaculate Conception Care and Concern Ministry Loeb House, Inc. Macedonia Baptist Food Pantry Mental Health Assocation of Rockland MLK Multipurpose Center Afterschool Program MLK Multipurpose Center Food Pantry Mt. Zion Sanctuary Food Outreach Soup Kitchen North Rockland Food Pantry @ Trinity UMC Nyack F.O.O.D. Program Food Pantry Nyack F.O.O.D. Program Soup Kitchen Nyack Headstart Nyack Parent Group Food Pantry Open Arms Open Bible Church Food Pantry People to People Food Pantry Pilgrim Baptist Church Food Pantry Pilgrim Baptist Church Soup Kitchen Redeeming Love Community Outreach Rhoda Bloom Food Pantry Rockland Community College Food Pantry Rockland Interfaith Breakfast Salvation Army – Spring Valley Canteen Feeding Program Salvation Army – Spring Valley Food Pantry Sinai French SDA Community Services Food Pantry Sloatsburg Food Pantry Spring Valley Headstart Spring Valley Parent Group Food Pantry Spring Valley SDA Church Food Pantry St. Ann’s Food Cupboard St. John Deliverance Tabernacle Inc. Food Pantry St. Paul’s Community Dinner St. Paul’s Episcopal Church St. Paul’s Parish Pantry St. Peter’s Food Pantry St. Stephen’s Food Cupboard STLC Foundation, Inc. Summit Children’s Residence Tomche Shabbos of Rockland County TOUCH UMC of Spring Valley Community Breakfast UMC of Spring Valley Food Pantry Upper Room House of Worship Food Pantry West Street Parent Group Food Pantry Westcop CAP – Spring Valley Food Pantry Westcop – Rockland Community Action Program |
Read More: Relief In The Works For 'Food Deserts,' Food Insecurity In NJ
Here’s how it will work, officials said:
“The Food Desert Relief Act directs the NJEDA to address the food security needs of communities across New Jersey by providing up to $40 million per year for six years in tax credits, loans, grants and/or technical assistance to increase access to nutritious foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food deserts. The act strives to facilitate development, construction, and sustainable operations of new supermarkets and grocery stores within designated Food Desert Communities. It also aims to strengthen existing community assets by arming them with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to provide healthier food options. Additionally, it is designed to help food retailers respond to the shift to e-commerce, including for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
”There is an urgent need for relief, statistics show. According to recent data from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, 800,000 New Jersey residents face hunger every day. Feeding America noted that 192,580 New Jersey children – about one in 10 – face hunger. And the number of individuals receiving NJ SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) rose more than 15 percent, from 769,331 in September 2020 to 887,467 in September 2021, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
“We have an obligation as state leaders, and as human beings, to ensure that no New Jerseyan goes to bed hungry, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said.
“By crafting one of the most comprehensive food desert designations in the country, we are leading the nation in taking necessary steps to eradicate food deserts and remove the barriers keeping our state’s residents from accessing nutritious food,” Oliver added.
“Far too often, hunger hides in plain sight,” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin agreed, calling the NJEDA’s draft list an “important step” in the state’s battle against food insecurity.
See the proposed food deserts below, in ranked order (an asterisk * means that the whole municipality is included).
Help for Hunger
Amazon is driven by the belief that no family should go without basic needs like food and housing. As millions of families struggle to secure food for their families, Amazon has a unique role to play providing a critical service for families in need. Through programs like Community Delivery and the Right Now Needs Funds, Amazon has long partnered with organizations that share our commitment.
ampleharvest.org | Defining_the_difference.pdf
Download File
Bonnie & AmpleHarvest.org
Our Grow More Feed More initiative with AmpleHarvest.org encourages home gardeners to donate surplus produce to their nearest food pantry. The partnership was formed to help combat food insecurity caused by COVID-19, but the need for fresh, homegrown food among those without it continues to grow, and we’ll continue our commitment long after the pandemic is behind us. Both at the Bonnie Plants corporate office and at our growing stations around the country, we cultivate additional produce to help support local food pantries. Additionally, Bonnie Plants has already committed more than $250,000 to help fight hunger and we continue to donate 5 percent of all BonniePlants.com sales to AmpleHarvest.org.
Here’s how it will work, officials said:
“The Food Desert Relief Act directs the NJEDA to address the food security needs of communities across New Jersey by providing up to $40 million per year for six years in tax credits, loans, grants and/or technical assistance to increase access to nutritious foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food deserts. The act strives to facilitate development, construction, and sustainable operations of new supermarkets and grocery stores within designated Food Desert Communities. It also aims to strengthen existing community assets by arming them with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to provide healthier food options. Additionally, it is designed to help food retailers respond to the shift to e-commerce, including for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
”There is an urgent need for relief, statistics show. According to recent data from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, 800,000 New Jersey residents face hunger every day. Feeding America noted that 192,580 New Jersey children – about one in 10 – face hunger. And the number of individuals receiving NJ SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) rose more than 15 percent, from 769,331 in September 2020 to 887,467 in September 2021, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
“We have an obligation as state leaders, and as human beings, to ensure that no New Jerseyan goes to bed hungry, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said.
“By crafting one of the most comprehensive food desert designations in the country, we are leading the nation in taking necessary steps to eradicate food deserts and remove the barriers keeping our state’s residents from accessing nutritious food,” Oliver added.
“Far too often, hunger hides in plain sight,” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin agreed, calling the NJEDA’s draft list an “important step” in the state’s battle against food insecurity.
See the proposed food deserts below, in ranked order (an asterisk * means that the whole municipality is included).
Help for Hunger
Amazon is driven by the belief that no family should go without basic needs like food and housing. As millions of families struggle to secure food for their families, Amazon has a unique role to play providing a critical service for families in need. Through programs like Community Delivery and the Right Now Needs Funds, Amazon has long partnered with organizations that share our commitment.
ampleharvest.org | Defining_the_difference.pdf
Download File
Bonnie & AmpleHarvest.org
Our Grow More Feed More initiative with AmpleHarvest.org encourages home gardeners to donate surplus produce to their nearest food pantry. The partnership was formed to help combat food insecurity caused by COVID-19, but the need for fresh, homegrown food among those without it continues to grow, and we’ll continue our commitment long after the pandemic is behind us. Both at the Bonnie Plants corporate office and at our growing stations around the country, we cultivate additional produce to help support local food pantries. Additionally, Bonnie Plants has already committed more than $250,000 to help fight hunger and we continue to donate 5 percent of all BonniePlants.com sales to AmpleHarvest.org.
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helping-Brands.com helping-brands.org helpingbrands.net John R. Fugazzie
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Tyler Fugazzie Matthew Fugazzie
Partner with helping-Brands
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests
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All the materials and brands that part of this website portal are: John R. Fugazzie
All the brand, name, graphics, images, logos, web site support and related materials are the intellectual property of John R. Fugazzie and can be licensed by partners under a written agreement..
All the brand, name, graphics, images, logos, web site support and related materials are the intellectual property of John R. Fugazzie and can be licensed by partners under a written agreement..
NhNUSA Legal Statement and current structural status
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA is a social franchise founded by John R. Fugazzie on January 27, 2011 in the River Edge NJ Public Library. The organization operated from May 24, 2012-December 24, 2017 as a 501 (c)(3) New Jersey nonprofit. The organization now continues its amazing growth helping people and the continued expansion under the leadership of its founder John R. Fugazzie.
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA (helping-Brands) is the intellectual property of John R. Fugazzie who is the sole owner of the brand, name, images, logos, social media groups, web sites, and all current and future related materials. John R. Fugazzie maintains all rights to the use and distribution of these materials and any duplication and use without the written permission or license is prohibited Copyright 2011-2025.
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA is a social franchise founded by John R. Fugazzie on January 27, 2011 in the River Edge NJ Public Library. The organization operated from May 24, 2012-December 24, 2017 as a 501 (c)(3) New Jersey nonprofit. The organization now continues its amazing growth helping people and the continued expansion under the leadership of its founder John R. Fugazzie.
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA (helping-Brands) is the intellectual property of John R. Fugazzie who is the sole owner of the brand, name, images, logos, social media groups, web sites, and all current and future related materials. John R. Fugazzie maintains all rights to the use and distribution of these materials and any duplication and use without the written permission or license is prohibited Copyright 2011-2025.
AFFILIATE STATEMENT
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Additional affiliate links are also occasionally used on the site.
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Additional affiliate links are also occasionally used on the site.
Copyright © 2011-2025