NJEDA Extends Food Security Planning Grant Program Application Deadline to December 20

Program Provides up to $125,000 to County and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Improve Food Security

Trenton, N.J. (November 18, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced that it has extended the application deadline for its $1.5 million Food Security Planning Grant Program to December 20, 2022. This competitive program offers grants ranging from $75,000 to $125,000 to municipal and county governments, and redevelopment agencies to develop plans to improve food access and food security by leveraging distressed assets in New Jersey’s Food Desert Communities (FDCs). The application can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/food-security-planning-grant/. Applications will NOT be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Today, more than 15 percent of New Jersey households report not having enough to eat within the past week. Additionally, out of the nearly nine million people who reside in New Jersey, approximately 1.5 million live in an NJEDA-designated FDC. Ensuring access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food is a key component of Governor Phil Murphy’s vision for a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, as well as creating a sustainable local food system in every community.

The NJEDA hosted information sessions last month for potential applicants that offered an overview of the program, a walk-through of the application, and information on how to best prepare to apply. A recording of one of those sessions can be found here.

The Food Security Planning Grant Program is one tool that NJEDA will deploy to empower local governments to develop and submit plans to improve food access while transforming distressed assets that have presented a hindrance to economic growth. For the Food Security Planning Grant Program, a distressed asset is defined as a commercial building or series of buildings, its attachments, and appurtenances; or vacant land that is fully or partially vacant for at least one year, that due to deteriorated condition or appearance of its exterior (because of deferred maintenance such as deteriorated paint or overgrown vegetation, boarded up door and/or windows), that can be leveraged to improve food access and food security. Distressed assets must be located within a New Jersey FDC, which can be mapped here.

Full details on the Food Security Planning Grant Program can be found here.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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