Facts & Figures

Hunger continues to threaten the health and well-being of far too many in New Jersey.

Food insecurity is a measure that indicates limited access to food due to insufficient resources to meet basic needs and economic hardship within a household. It has serious health repercussions across the lifespan, negatively impacting children's ability to develop and learn and fueling harmful and chronic health conditions.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in 2022, nearly 9% of NJ households experienced food insecurity.

Community disinvestment and systems of oppression like systemic racism have 

resulted in disproportionate burdens of food insecurity along geographic lines and by race and ethnicity, and the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated longstanding inequities.

Assessing the Landscape of Hunger in New Jersey

Disparities must be addressed to create an equitable opportunity for good health for all.

There are a multitude of exemplary existing initiatives to address hunger in New Jersey, including the federal nutrition programs. With the onset of COVID-19, a diverse array of community organizations and state agencies pivoted quickly to address hunger, providing residents with both food and connections to further services and support.

Explore interactive maps for food insecurity, infant mortality, and low birth weight, as well as other contextual factors that impact the health of New Jersey residents. Zoom in to get a more granular view of cities, townships, and municipalities.

Explore the maps

Hunger and Its Solutions in New Jersey

Produced with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, FRAC's report, Hunger and its Solutions in New Jersey: Landscape Analysis of Current Initiatives, Recommended Action, and Emerging Opportunities for Further Investment, aims to inform state and local policymakers, state agency leaders, community and nonprofit groups, philanthropic organizations, leaders in the private sector, and community members, about which policies, systems changes, cross-sector outreach, and programmatic initiatives, if implemented in the coming years, would result in the most significant gains in food security.

Further analysis of food insecurity in New Jersey, including actionable recommendations that will help stakeholders across the state to mitigate hunger can be found in the report.

Read the Report

FOOD INSECURITY IN NEW JERSEY

Facts & Figures

Resources

Assessing the Landscape of Hunger in New Jersey

Hunger and Its Solutions in New Jersey

FOOD INSECURITY IN NEW JERSEY

Facts & Figures

Resources

Assessing the Landscape of Hunger in New Jersey

Hunger and Its Solutions in New Jersey

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