In January 2026, NJFDC began forming an independent Food Policy Council for New Jersey —part of a larger restructuring to strengthen statewide coordination, clarify roles, and bring greater coherence to New Jersey’s food and farm policy ecosystem.

A thoughtful phased build-out of the council first brought together partners who share alignment with statewide food system goals, deep experience across New Jersey’s food system, and long-standing trust to create a foundation for the Council before expanding it to full build-out by summer 2026.

A Statewide, Community-Rooted Food Policy Body

The New Jersey Food Policy Council (NJFPC) is a statewide, multi-sector body convened by the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative (NJFDC) to advance coordinated, equitable, and community-rooted food and agricultural policy.

The Council brings together representatives from across New Jersey’s food system—including farmers, food access organizations, labor, markets, public health, and environmental and community-based sectors—to develop aligned statewide policy priorities.

What the Council Does

The NJFPC:

• Translates shared needs from across New Jersey’s food system into coordinated policy priorities

• Develops legislative and policy recommendations grounded in lived experience

• Aligns stakeholders across sectors to advance a shared statewide agenda

• Engages with state agencies, legislators, and partners to support implementation

The Council is member-led and decision-capable, with policy positions determined by its members.

How the Council Is Structured

The NJFPC is designed to ensure strong community leadership while engaging institutional partners in supportive roles.

Voting Members

Organizations representing:

• farmers and producers

• food access and community organizations

• markets and supply chain

• labor and workforce

• public health

• environmental and climate justice

Voting members shape the Council’s priorities and decisions.

Non-Voting Advisory Members

Government agencies and academic/research institutions participate as non-voting advisors, providing:

• technical expertise

• policy and regulatory insight

• data and analysis

• implementation pathways

This structure ensures that the Council remains community-rooted and independent, while still engaging key partners.

Relationship to the NJ Alliance for Local Food & Farms

The NJ Alliance for Local Food & Farms is the collaborative home for NJFDC’s working groups and stakeholder networks.

Through the Alliance, organizations:

• identify shared challenges

• develop solutions

• and surface priorities from lived experience

These insights directly inform the policy agenda of the NJ Food Policy Council.

How NJFDC Supports the Council

NJFDC serves as the backbone organization, providing:

• facilitation and coordination

• research and policy support

• communication across the network

NJFDC staff support the Council’s work, but policy decisions are made by Council members.

Get Involved

The Council is a structured, representative body.

Opportunities to engage include:

• Participating in the NJ Alliance for Local Food & Farms

• Joining working groups

• Engaging in public policy campaigns and advocacy

• Subscribing for updates and opportunities