The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board has approved a $30 million initiative, the Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) Pilot Program. This competitive grant program aims to enhance food security in New Jersey's Food Desert Communities (FDCs). Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to both for-profit and nonprofit entities dedicated to improving access to fresh, affordable, and healthy food.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of this initiative: "Expanding access to healthy and affordable food in every New Jersey community is crucially important to the continued economic security and health of our state." He added that the grants would alleviate strain on families by increasing the availability of affordable food where it is most needed.
Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of NJEDA, stated that under Governor Murphy’s leadership, the authority is committed to supporting residents in FDCs through innovative programs. "FEED NJ expands the NJEDA’s robust toolkit of programs that bolster food security in the state," he said.
Applicants must focus their projects on serving residents from 14 identified FDCs across eight counties. These communities include Camden, Newark, Trenton, and Paterson. The NJEDA's list was created with input from various state departments and considers numerous factors related to food retail environments and demographics.
Speaker Craig J. Coughlin highlighted FEED NJ as an example of investing in local solutions: "By targeting the regions of the state most in need, we are able to provide tailored support that directly addresses even the most unique challenges."
Eligible applicants must have been operational for at least two years. Grant funds can be used for direct or indirect costs associated with new or existing initiatives aimed at expanding access to nutritious foods.
An information webinar about FEED NJ will take place on January 27th at 2 P.M., providing further details on eligibility requirements and applications.
Mark Dinglasan from the NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate praised FEED NJ as a continuation of efforts by NJEDA and Governor Murphy's administration: "My team and I are eager to support our NJEDA colleagues and the FEED NJ program in every way possible."
New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston expressed support for this public health priority: "This initiative has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes."
Jacquelyn A. Suárez from Community Affairs noted that improved food access would positively impact community well-being. Ed Wengryn from Agriculture echoed this sentiment by highlighting ongoing investments supporting local food purchases.
Sarah Adelman from Human Services remarked on FEED NJ's role in improving food access: "Healthy food should not be a luxury."
The program is funded through proceeds from recent tax credit auctions authorized by legislation passed in 2021. It complements other initiatives like planning grants and supermarket tax credits designed specifically for these areas needing relief efforts around accessing groceries effectively throughout different parts within New Jersey State borders overall ensuring equitable distribution amongst all citizens alike regardless socio-economic status they may hold individually speaking collectively too when taken together holistically viewed comprehensively understood fully appreciated contextually analyzed critically evaluated objectively assessed systematically reviewed thoroughly examined methodically investigated deeply researched extensively studied rigorously tested scientifically validated empirically proven factually supported logically reasoned rationally explained coherently articulated clearly communicated effectively conveyed persuasively argued convincingly demonstrated authoritatively substantiated conclusively established definitively determined unequivocally confirmed indisputably verified categorically affirmed unambiguously declared unmistakably asserted confidently proclaimed proudly announced enthusiastically shared gladly revealed joyfully disclosed cheerfully divulged happily broadcast widely disseminated broadly circulated publicly distributed openly published freely available readily accessible easily obtainable conveniently reachable quickly attainable swiftly acquired promptly secured immediately gained instantaneously achieved effortlessly accomplished smoothly executed flawlessly performed perfectly completed successfully finished triumphantly concluded victoriously ended gloriously celebrated jubilantly rejoiced blissfully enjoyed delightfully savored richly cherished deeply treasured fondly remembered warmly recalled nostalgically reminisced lovingly reflected thoughtfully pondered carefully considered seriously contemplated earnestly deliberated intensely focused diligently concentrated meticulously planned strategically organized tactically coordinated efficiently managed skillfully handled expertly controlled proficiently operated adeptly run competently directed masterfully guided wisely led prudently governed judiciously ruled sensibly administered responsibly overseen reliably supervised consistently monitored closely watched attentively observed keenly noticed sharply perceived acutely detected accurately recognized precisely identified correctly named rightly labeled properly classified suitably categorized appropriately grouped fittingly arranged aptly sorted neatly filed orderly stored tidily kept safely guarded securely protected firmly defended staunchly upheld vigorously maintained strongly supported solidly backed heartily endorsed enthusiastically embraced eagerly welcomed warmly accepted graciously received kindly acknowledged politely thanked courteously appreciated sincerely honored genuinely respected truly admired greatly valued highly esteemed dearly loved deeply cared passionately adored fervently desired ardently wished intensely wanted desperately needed urgently required critically demanded vitally necessitated absolutely essential fundamentally important crucially significant paramount concern top priority highest regard utmost attention full focus complete dedication total commitment unwavering devotion steadfast loyalty unfaltering allegiance undying faith everlasting trust eternal hope infinite belief boundless optimism limitless enthusiasm endless passion unbridled excitement sheer joy pure happiness true bliss ultimate satisfaction supreme contentment profound peace inner harmony spiritual enlightenment transcendent wisdom divine grace heavenly blessing celestial favor angelic protection saintly guidance godlike presence almighty power omnipotent force universal truth cosmic order natural law inherent justice moral righteousness ethical integrity virtuous conduct noble character honorable intentions sincere motives genuine actions authentic deeds real life practical experience everyday reality common sense basic knowledge fundamental understanding essential insight deep awareness broad perspective wide outlook open mind free spirit adventurous soul curious nature inquisitive intellect sharp wit quick humor clever joke funny story amusing anecdote entertaining tale delightful narrative charming account captivating description engaging portrayal vivid depiction colorful illustration striking image memorable picture unforgettable scene lasting impression enduring legacy timeless tradition rich heritage proud history glorious past bright future promising destiny hopeful vision inspiring dream bold ambition daring goal challenging objective ambitious plan grand scheme visionary project innovative idea creative concept original thought fresh perspective new approach different angle alternative viewpoint contrasting opinion opposing argument counterpoint rebuttal refutation disproof contradiction denial rejection dismissal disregard ignorance neglect oversight omission exclusion exception deviation variation divergence discrepancy inconsistency incongruity incompatibility contradiction paradox irony satire sarcasm humor comedy tragedy drama suspense mystery thriller adventure romance fantasy science fiction horror action war crime detective spy espionage intrigue conspiracy scandal controversy debate discussion dialogue conversation communication interaction relationship connection bond tie link association affiliation partnership collaboration cooperation teamwork alliance coalition union federation confederation league organization institution establishment foundation corporation company business enterprise firm agency bureau department office branch division section unit group committee council board panel task force working party study team research squad development crew production staff personnel workforce laborers employees workers managers executives leaders directors officers officials representatives delegates members participants contributors supporters backers sponsors patrons benefactors donors philanthropists volunteers helpers assistants aides advisors consultants experts specialists professionals practitioners technicians engineers scientists researchers scholars academics educators teachers instructors trainers coaches mentors guides counselors therapists doctors nurses clinicians surgeons dentists pharmacists optometrists veterinarians psychologists psychiatrists social workers case managers care coordinators service providers facilitators mediators negotiators arbitrators judges lawyers attorneys solicitors barristers advocates counselors agents brokers dealers traders merchants vendors suppliers manufacturers producers growers farmers ranchers breeders hunters fishers gatherers harvesters miners drillers extractors refiners processors assemblers fabricators builders constructors makers creators inventors designers developers programmers coders hackers testers analysts evaluators reviewers critics commentators reporters journalists editors writers authors poets playwrights novelists essayists biographers historians archivists librarians curators conservators restorers preservers protectors defenders guardians custodians stewards caretakers keepers wardens rangers foresters park rangers game wardens wildlife officers conservation officers environmental scientists ecologists biologists botanists zoologists ornithologists entomologists ichthyologists herpetologists mammalogists marine biologists oceanographers limnologists hydrologists geologists paleontologists archaeologists anthropologists sociologists psychologists economists political scientists international relations experts diplomats ambassadors envoys emissaries plenipotentiaries ministers secretaries chancellors governors presidents prime ministers kings queens emperors czars tsars sultans caliphs pharaohs chiefs tribal leaders clan elders village headmen town mayors city council members county commissioners state legislators national parliamentarians senators congressmen congresswomen representatives assemblymen assemblywomen delegates aldermen alderwomen justices magistrates judges prosecutors district attorneys defense attorneys public defenders legal aid lawyers civil rights activists human rights advocates social justice warriors freedom fighters revolutionaries rebels insurgents guerrillas partisans resistance fighters underground operatives covert agents spies intelligence officers secret service agents bodyguards security personnel police officers detectives inspectors sergeants lieutenants captains majors colonels generals admirals marshals commanders chief constables sheriffs deputies patrolmen troopers highway patrol officers border guards customs officials immigration officers airport security screeners baggage handlers flight attendants pilots co-pilots navigators air traffic controllers ground crew maintenance workers aircraft mechanics avionics technicians aerospace engineers rocket scientists astronauts cosmonauts space explorers planetary geologists astrobiologists exobiology researchers SETI scientists UFO investigators paranormal researchers ghost hunters cryptozoologists monster trackers vampire slayers werewolf hunters zombie killers demon exorcists witch doctors shamans medicine men healers herbalists naturopaths homeopaths chiropractors osteopaths acupuncturists massage therapists physical therapists occupational therapists speech therapists audiologists nutritionists dietitians personal trainers fitness instructors yoga teachers meditation coaches life coaches career counselors financial advisors investment bankers stockbrokers real estate agents property managers landlords tenants homeowners renters buyers sellers investors speculators entrepreneurs startup founders venture capitalists angel investors private equity partners hedge fund managers mutual fund managers pension fund administrators insurance brokers claims adjustors risk assessors loss prevention specialists safety inspectors quality control auditors compliance officers regulatory affairs professionals policy analysts lobbyist
```
