Food-Security-Programs

NJEDA’s Commitment to Food Security- Increasing Access to Healthy food

Connecting every New Jerseyan with equitable access to nutritious food is a core component of Governor Murphy’s strategy for building a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy. NJEDA, along with its partners in government, business, nonprofits, and the community, is dedicated to increasing and improving access to nutritious food.

Where we live has a major impact on our overall health and wellbeing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture describes food security as access by all people at all times to sufficient nutritious food for an active and healthy life. This basic need is still not met for all New Jerseyans. Food insecurity impacts all racial and ethnic groups and geographic regions of the state. Communities with high concentrations unhealthy food options, while lacking traditional grocery stores, have been shown to have higher rates of chronic diseases. Currently, nearly one in ten children experience food insecurity in New Jersey, which can have negative impacts on their current and future physical and mental health and academic achievement.

To address these challenges, NJEDA’s programs aim to promote a more inclusive, scalable and collaborative approach to ensure improved access, consistent availability, and increased utilization of nutritious foods.

Several of NJEDA’s food security programs were established through the Food Desert Relief Act (FDRA). The FDRA is part of the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), a package of tax incentive, financing, and grant programs Governor Murphy signed into law in January 2021 to address the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a stronger, fairer New Jersey economy. The FDRA addresses the food security needs of communities across New Jersey by:

Requiring NJEDA to take a comprehensive view of New Jersey’s food access landscape and designate up to 50 Food Desert Communities in New Jersey, and
Providing up to $240 million in tax credits, loans, grants, and/or technical assistance to alleviate food deserts.

The goals of the FDRA are to:

Facilitate development, construction, and sustainable operations of new supermarkets and grocery stores
Strengthen existing community assets by equipping them with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to provide healthier food options
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, Infant, and Children (WIC)
Identify and foster solutions to alleviate food insecurity

NJEDA consulted with the Departments of Community Affairs and Agriculture to designate 50 Food Desert Communities (FDCs) that have limited access to nutritious foods. On February 9, 2022, NJEDA’s Board formally adopted the FDC designations, taking a critical step towards addressing challenges around food access, food availability and nutritional value. More than 1.5 million New Jerseyans reside in FDCs, which span a diverse range of communities in all 21 New Jersey counties.

The FDC designations will be used to determine eligible project locations and/or recipients for assistance under the FDRA, as well as other NJEDA food security programs, such as FRIDG and Food Security Planning Grants.

More information:

NJEDA fOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS

Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program

Food Desert Relief Supermarket Tax Credit Program

Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction

Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant (FRIDG)

Food Security Planning Grant Program (CLOSED)

Sustain and Serve NJ (CLOSED)

View all active programs

Related Programs and Resources

Commision on Science, Innovation and Technology: Food and AGRICULTURE Research and Development Grant New Jersey Department of Health: Health Indicator Report of Food Security

Press Releases

October 12, 2023

NJEDA Expands Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction to $15M

TRENTON, N.J. (October 12, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is increasing the amount of tax credits available to $15 million through the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction.

August 17, 2023

NJEDA to Launch $10M Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction

TRENTON, N.J. (August 17, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will auction up to $10 million in corporate and insurance premiums tax credits through the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction beginning on September 18.

May 9, 2023

NJEDA Awards Over $1 Million Through Food Security Planning Grant Program

Trenton, N.J. (May 9, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has awarded nine grants totaling over $1 million to seven county and municipal governments to support the development of plans to improve food access and food security by leveraging and repurposing distressed assets in New Jersey’s Food Desert Communities (FDCs).

January 6, 2023

NJEDA Announces New Grant Program to Fight Food Insecurity and Combat Food Deserts

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board announced at its December meeting the approval of a new grant program targeted at strengthening food security

December 20, 2022

NJEDA Announces Additional $5 Million for Sustain & Serve NJ Program

TRENTON, N.J. – The NJEDA today announced plans to allocate an additional $5 million in state funding to Phase 3 of its Sustain & Serve NJ program. Sustain & Serve NJ provides nonprofit organizations with grants to support the purchase of meals from New Jersey restaurants that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19

NJEDA PRESS ROOM