As the federal government continues to delay the full and timely funding of SNAP benefits for New Jersey families New Jersey families, New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) Secretary Ed Wengryn announced grant awards to six regional food banks to support the purchase of locally grown food products as part of the State’s ongoing Hunger Initiative and Food Assistance Program.

The funding will allow food banks across New Jersey to expand access to fresh, nutritious, and locally produced foods while directly supporting the state’s farmers and agricultural economy.

“Food security is always a high-priority issue for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and with the federal suspension of SNAP benefits, it became an even more overarching issue for us as the agency that administers community- and school-feeding programs,” said Secretary Ed Wengryn. “These additional grants will help New Jersey’s community food banks that are hard pressed to fill the gaps left by SNAP benefits not being available. We will continue to ensure that feeding New Jersey’s residents takes top priority.”

The Hunger Initiative and Food Assistance Program reflect the Murphy Administration’s continued commitment to strengthening local food systems, reducing food insecurity, and fostering economic opportunities for New Jersey’s agricultural producers. Through this program, participating food banks will use awarded funds exclusively to purchase New Jersey agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, seafood, and minimally processed foods made with at least 51 percent New Jersey ingredients. These funds bring the New Jersey farming community together with our emergency feeding organizations to make fresh, nourishing foods available to vulnerable New Jersey families.

The following food banks have received these local purchase grant awards:

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture continues to encourage individual and corporate contributions to support local food banks and pantries at this time. These grant funds are not meant to replace community efforts, but to supplement them during this time of increases need.

At this time, November federal SNAP benefits are not yet available to New Jersey families.  The State anticipates continued gaps in access as a result of these delays caused by the federal government, and will continue to provide updates about when SNAP benefits will be issued.

This situation continues to change, so SNAP food assistance recipients should check their accounts at NJFamiliesFirst.com; call 800-997-3333; and visit njsnap.gov or nj.gov/SNAPshutdown for updates on the status of their SNAP benefits.

A number of pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, non-perishable foods, shopping appointments, and information about additional services. Residents are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211 here or nj.gov/SNAPshutdown.

For more information on New Jersey’s response to the federal suspension of SNAP benefits, please visit nj.gov/SNAPshutdown.