Working Groups are the ‘heart and soul’ of NJ’s food policy council.
NJFDC is run on volunteers! We need your help to build resilience and equity in New Jersey’s food system. Together, we will take collaborative action, affect structural change, and advocate for innovation of public food programs for our state.
FDC Working Groups
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Legislative and Policy
Tracks state bills aligned with NJFDC’s policy priorities (see our Bill Tracker); strategizes on policy change/advocacy activities; drafts annual legislative priorities; activates food justice community as needed.
Meets monthly, 2nd Wednesday at 3 - 4:30 pm.
Projects:
- NJ Food and Ag Bill Tracker
- Annual Policy Agenda
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Beginner, Urban, Small-Scale, Emerging Producers
Works on policy, practice, and systems change at the local and state levels that impact land, capital and market access for first-generation, small-scale (under 5 acres), urban, and socially-disadvantaged producers in NJ. Works closely with Legislative and Policy Workgroup and NJFDC’s Advisory Board.
Meets every other month, Third Thursdays from 12:30 pm to 2 pm.
Projects:
- NJ Urban Agriculture Policy Recommendations
- Urban Ag Local Policy Project
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Inclusive Local Markets
Involved in all aspects of optimizing and innovating for improved connections between federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and local food access points. Innovate retail, optimization of program implementation, improved outreach, and sharing best practices.
Meets month, first Friday at 10 am.
Projects:
- FMNP Best Practices Toolkit
- How to Use SNAP at Farmers’ Market Guide
- County-Specific Inclusive Farmers’ Markets Directories
- NJ Inclusive Markets Policy Recommendations
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Research
Tracks research related to NJ’s food system. Working on literature review for NJ food system studies. Currently meeting as needed.
Meets 2x monthly, dates and times vary
Projects:
- Scoping Review of NJ’s Food System Research
- Annual Research Showcase
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Education & Training
Increases awareness of and provides information on state and local food policy and food system topics as a key strategy for improving and empowering equity and resilience in community-scale food systems across New Jersey. Meets monthly, second Thursdays at noon.
This working group is currently not meeting.
Projects:
- NJ Food Citizens’ Guide to Grassroots Advocacy
- Design of Lunch and Learn Program
Who participates in FDC Working Group?
Working group members are affiliated with the following organizations… New Roots, Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces, Urban Agriculture Cooperative, The Food Trust, CATA-Farmworkers, RWJBarnabas Health Newark Beth Israel Medical Centers, Rutgers University, Rowan University, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Montclair State University, NJ Farm Bureau, NOFA-NJ, American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, City Green, YMCA-Passaic, Foodshed Alliance, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, The Common Market, NJ Citizen Action, North Jersey RC&D, NJ Department of Agriculture, many independent farm businesses, and dozens of other NJ-based organizations.
