NJ Alliance for Local Food and Farms
Building the relationships that make food system change possible.
No single organization can solve New Jersey's food system challenges alone. The Alliance exists to help people learn together, build partnerships, and coordinate action where it can have the greatest impact.
The New Jersey Food Policy Council develops statewide food policy priorities and legislative recommendations.
The NJ Alliance for Local Food & Farms is a statewide collaboration network that brings together farmers, nonprofits, researchers, businesses, government agencies, and community leaders to strengthen New Jersey's local food system.
Through the Alliance, organizations develop shared resources, exchange expertise, launch collaborative initiatives, and organize collective action around opportunities that no single organization can accomplish alone.
Current Collaborative Initiatives
People engage through the Alliance in different ways depending on the work. Some collaborations are ongoing communities of practice, while others are short-term coalitions or learning opportunities organized around a specific need.
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The Inclusive Local Markets Community of Practice brings together farmers market managers, state agencies, farmers, nutrition incentive organizations, and advocates to improve equitable access to fresh, locally grown food through farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.
Current initiatives include:
County Farmers Market Guides
SNAP at farmers markets
Market manager resources and technical assistance
State policy recommendations
Best practice development
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The Research Working Group connects researchers, graduate students, practitioners, and community organizations to strengthen the evidence base for food systems decision-making in New Jersey.
Current initiatives include:
Research synthesis
Annual research showcase
Literature review
Identifying statewide research gaps
Connecting researchers with practitioners
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The Local Food for Schools Coalition brings together farmers, school food leaders, anti-hunger organizations, educators, distributors, parents, and advocates working to expand New Jersey's investment in local food procurement for schools.
Current priorities include:
Advancing state legislation to establish a permanent Local Food for Schools Program
Building support among legislators, state agencies, school districts, and community partners
Demonstrating the economic benefits for New Jersey farmers and local food businesses
Increasing student access to fresh, healthy, locally produced foods
Learn more / Join the Coalition →
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NJFDC is organizing a statewide coalition to advance legislation establishing permanent funding for urban agriculture land preservation in New Jersey.
This coalition brings together urban farmers, community organizations, land trusts, local governments, technical assistance providers, and statewide partners around a shared goal: ensuring that urban agriculture has permanent access to land and the resources needed to thrive.
Current priorities include:
Building a broad, statewide coalition of supporters
Educating policymakers about the importance of permanent urban agricultural land
Coordinating advocacy around the legislation
Developing communications and outreach materials to build public support
Learn more / Get involved (Coming soon!)
Interested in joining a the NJ Alliance for Local Food and Farms?
Get in touch.
Start Something New
Do you see an emerging challenge, policy opportunity, or collaborative project that would benefit from statewide coordination?
The Alliance is designed to support ideas that bring people together to solve problems and strengthen New Jersey's food system.
Contact us to start a conversation.