EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The Sustainable Jersey Atlantic-Cape May Counties Regional Hub will hold an in-person event to offer information on Securing Healthy Food for All 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Reed's Organic Farm, 5075 Spruce Ave.
The free event will help inform and connect local green teams and members of the public with some of the work that is being done in the region to address food insecurity.
Many green teams and civic organizations are doing some amazing work to help people in their communities gain access to healthy food," hub Co-chair Amy Menzel said. "They are growing and donating produce from local community gardens, working with local food pantries, promoting the 'Buy Fresh, Buy Local' campaign, hosting farmers markets and more. This event will shine a light on some of these local initiatives and introduce people to more resources that can help people in need.
Speakers will include Jeanine Cava of Stockton University and the NJ Food Democracy Collaborative , Lisa Newcomb of C.R.O.P.S. (Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces), Cookie Till of Reeds Organic Farm, Devin Cornia of Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey, extension agents from the Cape May and Atlantic County Rutgers Cooperative Extension Services, and Lauren Skowronski of Sustainable Jersey.
There are some very innovative actions that we hope will inspire local green teams," hub Co-Chair Ralph Cooper said.
Some examples include accessible farmers markets that offer shoppers a chance to use SNAP and WIC benefits, programs that pexpand the reach of traditional food pantries, including mobile food pantries, safe food donation and gleaning.
In Asbury Park, there's an organization called Interfaith Neighbors which raises funds to purchase food from farmers to give away supporting both farmers and people who are food insecure.
"We've also learned about a food policy audit tool developed by the Food Democracy Collaborative to help towns assess the impact of their current ordinances and infrastructure. There's a lot of good work being done, Cooper said.
The event includes a tour of the Reed's Organic Farm and light refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and water.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested. Register at https://bit.ly/ACMHubAug24Meeting
The Atlantic-Cape May Hub was formed to bring together local green teams in the two counties to share resources and to support each other. These periodic hub events are an informative way to help share ideas and to find opportunities to partner on projects and initiatives.
To read more about the Sustainable Jersey actions related to food, please check the ACM Hub Website for more details on:
