ELIGIBILITY

Phase 3 Grantee Eligibility Criteria

Changes in bold represent changes from Phase 1 and 2 of the program

Phase 3 of SSNJ is open to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations that can demonstrate as applicable:

• Must be an entity classified under one the following NAICS codes:
  • NAICS code 611 (Educational services)
  • NAICS code 62 (Social assistance and health care organizations [inclusive of NAICS code 624210])
  • NAICS code 813 (Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations)
  • NAICS code 92 (Public administration)
• Check against the Federal System for Award Management (SAM) to ensure entity is not debarred.
• Good standing with the Department of Labor, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the Commissioner of the Department of Labor; and
• A tax clearance certificate from the New Jersey Division of Taxation
• Demonstrated capacity of bulk meal purchase and distribution from New Jersey-based restaurants (i.e., NAICS code 722 or 624210) of at least 1,500 meals costing at least $25,000 between March 9, 2020 and the date of application launch.
• Meal donations from restaurants may be counted toward up to 50% of the past purchase requirement (up to 750 meals and $12,500), so long as the applicant can produce invoices from restaurant donors verifying the number of meals and monetary value of the donated meals
• Can demonstrate that the organization has experienced increased costs as a result of the pandemic’s impact

Phase 3 Participating Restaurant Eligibility Criteria

Changes in bold represent changes from Phase 1 and 2 of the program

Grant applications must also demonstrate, as part of the grant application or restaurant addition period, the following requirements were met by restaurants from which the grant applicants will be bulk purchasing meals:

• Restaurant is classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 or “Community meals, social services” under NAICS code 624210
• 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at time of application, based on the company’s most recently filed WR-30 with NJDOL or if no WR-30 is available, IRS form 1040 verifying the restaurant has no FTE employees
• Physical commercial location in New Jersey
• Good standing with the Department of Labor, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the Commissioner of the Department of Labor
• Check against the Federal System for Award Management (SAM) to ensure entity is not debarred.
• If the restaurant is regulated by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), then it must also be in good standing with ABC, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the ABC
• Current and valid certification from municipal and/or county government inspection that the restaurant has received a rating of Satisfactory as per New Jersey Retail Food Establishment Rating system
• Satisfaction of the requirement by the New Jersey Division of Taxation with regard to taxes, which may be through a tax clearance certification or verification from the Division of Taxation that the restaurant is in good standing and does not have tax debts due to the State
• Attestation from the restaurant that they were in operation on June 4, 2021, and that they have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 (e.g., has had a drop in revenue, has been materially impacted by employees who cannot work due to the outbreak, or has a supply chain that has materially been disrupted and therefore slowed firm-level production).

Grant applicants/recipients will be responsible for providing to the Authority any necessary supporting information and documentation from on behalf of the restaurants to verify eligibility – whether that be as part of the application process, prior to grant agreement, or following execution of a grant agreement as part of an audit the Authority, U.S. Treasury, or any other relevant State or federal entity reserves the right to may conduct against the certifications provided at application.

Once verified as eligible, participating restaurants’ information may be posted publicly on NJEDA’s website.

Community meal/social services entities operating under the NAICS code 624210 are unique in that they may apply directly for Sustain & Serve NJ and serve as grantee organizations. However, any grant applicant classified under NAICS code 624210 cannot also serve as a meal provider for their organization or for any other Sustain & Serve NJ applicant or grantee organizations (i.e., they cannot purchase meals from themselves and other grantees cannot purchase from them). Entities under NAICS code 624210 that choose to apply directly as a grantee organization must include in their application at least one other restaurant(s) from which they will purchase meals. Applicants classified under NAICS code 624210 may purchase meals from other entities under 624210, but they must not share an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Finally, entities under NAICS code 624210 that serve as meal providers (i.e., not a grantee) may work with one or more applicants.