New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn participated in a food distribution event at The Food Bank Network of Somerset County in Bridgewater. He was joined by volunteers and Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), to assist in providing food to those in need.
"Food insecurity is a real issue facing many New Jersey families and as we approach the holiday season the work of the Food Bank Network of Somerset County is even more important," said Secretary Wengryn. "The connection of our New Jersey farmers with our food bank, pantries, and soup kitchens, means we can ensure more of our citizens can have a more secure food future."
The Food Bank Network has been operating since 1982 and serves over 32,000 clients annually. It receives donations from various sources including public contributions, religious organizations, and government programs like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s State Food Purchase Program (SFPP). These programs provide poultry, pork, fish, fresh produce, among other items.
Elizabeth McCarthy emphasized CFBNJ's mission: "At the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, our goal is to ensure that every one of our neighbors has enough to eat year-round, regardless of their economic circumstances." She noted that this holiday season CFBNJ is distributing over 85,000 turkeys, hams, and chicken roasters statewide with community partners like the Food Bank Network. "We're thrilled that Secretary Wengryn was able to join us at a distribution today in solidarity with our efforts," she added.
CFBNJ stands as the largest anti-hunger organization in New Jersey and supplies nourishing food to 800 pantries across 15 counties. Last year it distributed enough food for over 90 million meals including 1.8 million pounds to Somerset County's network. Beyond food provision, CFBNJ also offers job training, nutrition education, hygiene products distribution and engages in policy advocacy.
In New Jersey nearly one million people face food insecurity including over 260,000 children. The Community Food Bank along with five other major organizations receive $85 million combined to support their mission through approximately 1,000 local agencies such as pantries and shelters.
TEFAP distributes USDA foods and funding while being administered by the NJ Department of Agriculture which allocated over 32 million pounds last year equating to more than 38 million meals statewide. Additionally these six banks receive $6.8 million via SFPP.
"The food we receive from the State and Federal government is a tremendous help," stated Steve Katz Executive Director at Somerset County's network adding "It is so much appreciated here."
