How-to-Help-Fight-Hunger-Northern-New-Jersey

Higher Demand, Higher Costs
A Win/Win
How You Can Help Fight Hunger in NJ
Bergen County
Hudson County
Passaic County
Essex County

You can help fight hunger in New Jersey. Covid-19 helped deepen the food crisis in America. The face of hunger has changed as well. A record number of people do not have enough to eat, and it is likely that the economic recovery for families who struggle to put food on the table will take years.

In New Jersey alone, more than 1.1 million people are food insecure, including one in every nine children. That number is a staggering 56% increase since before the Pandemic. Unfortunately, that number will not decline quickly as residents were saddled with debt since losing their jobs or having their hours reduced, still struggle to make ends meet.

Because of the pandemic, food banks have seen a tremendous increase in the amount of people visiting food banks. And in many cases, those people are visiting for the first time. In fact, in the early days of the pandemic, 4 in 10 people visiting food banks were there for the first time. Hunger is a harsh reality, and if it can affect residents of the one of the wealthiest areas in the country, it can affect anyone, anywhere. But there are ways to help fight hunger in New jersey.

Food distribution outlets have increased since the pandemic. 1.2 million people, including 400,000 children in New Jersey are food insecure.

Photo credit: Steven Sizer, Flickr

Higher Demand, Higher Costs

With the increase in the amounts of food being distributed, it’s only natural food costs for organization’s has increased. Our Community Dinner Table, a not-for-profit food distribution organization in Palisades Park, NJ began serving hot meals during the Pandemic. But the need for groceries – fresh fruit, vegetables and non-perishables – increased as well. “We do what we can with what we have,” said OCDT Founder Sam Chung. “If it wasn’t for the grants we received from the state, we couldn’t provide nearly enough for the demand.”

Norwescap, which serves the low-income population in northwestern New Jersey, supplied 500,000 pounds of food in 2020, a 25% increase over 2019.

Food banks also have to contend with cold weather when demand increases. That coupled with the increase in food prices and jobless benefits ending causes higher demand.

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the state’s biggest, serving 15 counties, is already on track to distribute food for a record 93 million meals in its current fiscal year which began on July 1. That’s an increase from 84 million meals in the last fiscal year, and 50 million in the year before the pandemic began.

A Win/Win

During the height of the Pandemic, both area residents as well as restaurants, were suffering. Many centers that served hot meals, purchased them from area restaurants, keeping them in business. With the grant money and donations, participating restaurants were able to keep employees and keep the lights on. One restaurant, Cocina de Gaby in Ridgefield, emotionally told the local food distribution center that bought meals from them, kept them in business.

Additionally, surplus food from grocers, farmers and restaurants were repurposed at food banks and food distribution centers. America has enough food to feed everyone, yet so much food goes to waste.

Food waste is safe, high-quality food that is thrown away rather than eaten. Food waste occurs for a variety of reasons, including:

Uneaten food that is thrown out at homes, stores, and restaurants
Crops left in fields because of low crop prices or too many of the same crops being available
Problems during the manufacturing and transportation of food
Food not meeting retailers’ standards for color and appearance

“The right use of food can end hunger.”
chef jose andres

How You Can Help Fight Hunger in New Jersey – Here’s How

While many centers receive grants from the state and private donations, not all do. Local pop-up food distribution centers rely solely on donations of food and money. Some even accept gently used clothing and housewares. And volunteers are always welcome.

Each center operates differently. The Food Brigade, located in Dumont, serves the community through a drive-thru concept. In order to participate, you must register with their online pantry system.

But the need, regardless of how it’s distributed, is still there. Telsa CEO Elon Musk is considering donating 2% of his wealth, or $6 billion, to help end world hunger. This is clearly a global issue, but you can help fight hunger on a more granular level.

Donating canned food or perishables – such as pasta, rice and oatmeal – to help fight hunger at your local food bank can be a big help. Nothing goes to waste. However, monetary donations can actually help more families, and at the same time support local businesses.

Food banks don’t pay retail prices. Food banks work with manufacturers and retailers to secure wholesale pricing
Donations help food banks purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. While canned goods and packaged foods are vital, no one should live on that alone.
They work directly with area farmers and restaurants. Monetary donations help to purchase food that doesn’t make it to the consumer, helping to create a more sustainable world.
Not all food banks have storage. Many food banks and food distribution organizations have limited capacity for storage. Food items are usually purchased and/or delivered the same day it’s served.

Photo credit: Steven Sizer, Flickr

Below are links to help fight hunger in New Jersey.

There are many resources for those in need and those who want to help those in need. If there’s a missing center, please contact me and it will be added.