NJEDA to Open Food Security Planning Grant Program Application on September 27

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

Trenton, N.J. (September 26, 2022) – Today, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced that it will open applications for its $1.5 million Food Security Planning Grant Program on Tuesday, September 27. This competitive program offers grants ranging from $75,000 to $125,000 to municipal governments, 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 will be available at https://www.njeda.gov/food-security-planning-grant/. All applications submitted by the deadline of November 25 will be reviewed after the application period has closed. 

Currently, more than one in 10 New Jersey households reports not having enough to eat within the past week. Additionally, out of the nearly nine million people who reside in New Jersey, approximately one million live in an NJEDA-designated FDC. Ensuring access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food is a key component in building a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, as well as creating a sustainable local food system in every community.

The NJEDA will host information sessions for potential applicants (municipal governments, county governments and redevelopment agencies) to get an overview of the Food Security Planning Grant, a walk-through of the application, and information on how to best prepare to apply.

The information sessions will take place at the following times:

• October 3 – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration link:  https://www.njeda.gov/event/njedas-food-security-planning-grant-roll-out/
• October 13 – 11:00 a.m. to Noon Registration link: https://www.njeda.gov/event/njedas-food-security-planning-grant-program-roll-out/

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.

Applications will be accepted until November 25 and will NOT be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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 state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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