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

What is FDC?

FDC brings together a diverse network of food system stakeholders, farmers, advocates, community leaders, and organizations to collaborate on initiatives that advance our shared mission.

Our work is organized across three core program areas:

  1. Food policy and advocacy – advancing practical policy solutions that strengthen New Jersey’s food and farm system.

  2. Civic engagement, education, and technical assistance – helping residents and partners build the knowledge and skills to participate in shaping food system change.

  3. Coalition-building and local systems support – supporting the formation of local Food Policy Councils, strengthening key stakeholder networks, and facilitating collaboration across sectors.

Through these programs, we advance four policy priorities that guide our work: Healthy Food for All, Regional Food System Resilience, Farm & Food System Worker Advancement, and Resilient Farming Systems. Learn more in our current Policy Agenda.

We carry out this work primarily through the New Jersey Food Policy Council, our working groups housed within the NJ Alliance for Local Food and Farms, statewide convenings such as the State of the NJ Food System Summit, and public educational programs like Food Democracy Lunch & Learns.

We also provide technical assistance and consulting through strategic partnerships and grant-funded initiatives, including the South Jersey Farmers Equity and Sustainability Team (SJ FEAST) and the Improving Farmers Markets Initiative supported by state and federal funding.

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