Our Mission

To build, grow, and empower a broad, connected, grassroots network of food system stakeholders, to democratically transform the state’s food and agriculture system to be resilient, safe, equitable, and prosperous.

What we value.

Collaboration & Shared Leadership

Transparency & Accountability

Equity & Grassroots Organizing

Civic Engagement & Democracy

Who participates in NJFDC?

More than 300 individuals from 20 different sectors across the state are participating in NJFDC workgroups, projects, and other activities. These organizations share a common vision for an equitable and resilient food system. This includes

Farmers, community based organizations, state and county government, health care organizations, academic researchers and students, cooperative extension, emergency/charitable organizations, food justice and social justice advocacy groups, sustainability focused organizations, and more.

Who is NJFDC?

Structure & Approach

Within NJFDC:

  • The New Jersey Food Policy Council (NJFPC) is a statewide, multi-sector, decision-capable body that translates shared needs from across New Jersey’s food system into aligned policy priorities, legislative strategies, and public recommendations.

    The Council is member-led and includes representatives from farming, food access, labor, markets, public health, and environmental sectors, alongside non-voting government and academic partners who participate in advisory roles. This structure enables coordinated engagement with policymakers while preserving the Council’s independence and community-centered leadership.

  • NJ Alliance for Local Food & Farms: The collaborative home for NJFDC’s stakeholder-led working groups, where food and farm organizations align around shared needs, exchange resources and best practices, and collaborate on technical assistance and program strategies. 

Together, this model forms a unified statewide ecosystem that bridges policy leadership and grassroots organizing to create a clear and effective pathway from practice to policy.

Meet Our Team

  • Stacey Benjamin

    Marketing & Communications Manager

  • Jeanine Cava

    Executive Director, Co-Founder

  • Bryanna Fogel, MSSP

    Coalitions & Working Groups Manager

  • Anna Soloniuk

    Public Policy Research Fellow

  • Rachel Wilson

    South Jersey Farmers’ Equity and Sustainability Team Co-Lead

Meet Our Advisory Board

  • Javonne Alonzo

    Student Impact Lead, FoodCorps Food Studies and Sustainable Food Systems Scholar Item

  • Marissa Baron

    Operations Manager, Growing Justice Fund

  • Avika Bansal

    Consultant at BCG

  • Garrett Broad

    Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Rowan University

  • Anthony Capece

    Founder & Principal Consultant

    Capece Consulting

  • Laura Cole

    Community Organizer, Earthworker, Black Immigrant Farmers United, Urban Agriculture Cooperative

  • Nyssa Entrekin, MS, RD

    Associate Director of Community Based Programming, The Food Trust

  • Melanie Ganzman

    Owner, Operator, Fluffy Farm, and South Jersey Farmer Collective, SJ FEAST Steering Committee

  • Njeri Jenkins

    Njeri Jenkins, MPP Policy Lead & Advocacy Manager , DC Action

  • Lisette Kwong

    Corporate Communications, Kyndryl

  • Viergela Bionka Louidor

    COO ANMP Creative Studio , Founder Boukman Hospitality Group

  • April Milevski, MS, RDN

  • Mariely Moronta-Sanchez

    Regional CRA Officer M&T Bank (NYC, Lower Hudson Valley)

  • Fatima Niangado (She/Her)

    MPH Candidate, Rutgers

  • Hiral Shukla

    Social Determinants of Health Community Strategist Aetna-CVS Health

  • Elaine Tanimura

    Community Leader