NJFDC’s Background
est 2020
In June 2020, the NJFDC formed from a shared interest among several dozen organizations and individuals across NJ for collaboration across sectors of the food system. Those involved felt the need to better understand and research the state’s food system and to increase local producer-to-consumer infrastructure, particularly for low-income communities across the state.
From June 2020 to November 2020, the NJFDC held 11 guided multi-sector discussion group meetings with 143 stakeholders, including growers, market managers, community gardeners, researchers, cooperative extension, natural resources specialists, and emergency food system professionals. The purpose of these conversations was to learn about the food system’s current challenges and gather feedback on common and shared observations, concerns, and suggestions for solutions.
2021
In May 2021, a cohort of NJFDC participants submitted a response to the NJ Economic Development Authority’s Request for Information on how the state can effectively address food insecurity in its communities. Read our response.