Hudson County
Location: Northeastern New Jersey
Project Summary: Hudson County’s project includes two initiatives to address food insecurity. The first initiative is to engage and provide training for food pantry employees through quarterly Chat and Chew events. These events are designed for food pantry staff and/or volunteers within three regions of the county to learn about funding opportunities and receive training on topics such as handling challenging clients, providing culturally sensitive service, and becoming a certified SNAP navigator. The second initiative for the project is the enhancement of the School Support Subcommittee, specifically through an initiative to reach SNAP-eligible families who are not currently enrolled or need assistance with recertification.
Salem County
Location: Southern New Jersey
Project Summary: Salem County has a three-pronged approach to eliminating food insecurity. First, to expand healthcare integration with food security referrals by establishing a Food Pathways Subcommittee under Salem County HSAC to centralize SNAP and WIC reporting, improve data-sharing, and ensure transparent public communication. Second, foster community-purchasing power for nutritious options by initiating gathering and strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers to assess and bolster food security referral processes. Third, amplify resident voices through anti-hunger policy education by organizing the Faces of Anti-Hunger Exhibit, showcasing resident stories to highlight the importance of anti-hunger policies and increase community engagement.
Bergen County
Location: Northern New Jersey
Project Summary: The County of Bergen will partner with Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) and the Ramapo College of New Jersey Master of Social Work (MSW) Program to develop and implement a benefit navigator pilot program at community sites throughout Bergen County. This pilot program will include training for the Ramapo MSW outreach workers to ensure command of relevant information about SNAP, WIC and other key programs along with their application processes. After benefit navigators are trained and community sites are selected, navigators will begin the community outreach phase of the program. They will start assisting residents by informing them of programs and services for which they may be eligible, and help with crafting and submitting applications for these benefits when appropriate.