NJEDA to Auction up to $25M in Tax Credits to Fight Hunger and Strengthen Food Security

TRENTON, N.J. (July 30, 2026) –The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will auction up to $25 million in corporation business tax and insurance premiums tax credits through the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. The auction, which was approved during the NJEDA’s July Board meeting, helps businesses reduce their New Jersey taxes by up to 15% while raising funds to strengthen food security and fight hunger in communities across the state. The NJEDA will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.  

WHAT:            Up to $25 million in tax credits will be up for sale through the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction, allowing bidders to offset their NJ tax liability by up to 15%.  

Proceeds will fund programs that that strengthen food access and reduce hunger in communities across the state where these challenges are the most acute. These future grant, loan, and/or technical assistance opportunities will advance the priorities established by the Food Desert Relief Act and complement the NJEDA’s robust toolkit of existing food security programs, including FEED NJ, which was funded by proceeds from past tax credit auctions and is investing $30 million to catalyze innovative, sustainable, and scalable food access initiatives in underserved areas. 

WHO:              New Jersey Corporate Taxpayers or Insurance Companies that want to reduce their New Jersey 2026 tax liability. Companies do not need to be located in a food desert, be in the food industry, or make any ongoing commitments beyond the purchase transaction to buy tax credits through the auction.  

WHEN:           Applications for the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction will open on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 10 a.m. and will close on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5 p.m. Applications and additional information can be found here.  

An informational webinar will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 1 p.m. For more information and to register for the webinar, click here.  

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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