TRENTON - The New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced today it is providing $900,000 in funding to support the state’s six emergency feeding organizations as they face increased demand due to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits crisis caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Approximately 813,000 New Jerseyans, including 340,000 children, rely on SNAP benefits.
The funding comes at a critical time when all 568 school districts close on Thursday and Friday for the annual New Jersey Education Association Conference. Sixty school districts are closed the entire week and nearly 150 more are closed Tuesday and/or Wednesday as well. While the shutdown does not affect school meals, such as breakfast and lunch, like it does SNAP benefits, children only receive those meals if schools are open. The school closures, compounded with the SNAP benefits crisis, put hundreds of thousands of children at risk of food insecurity. More than 533,000 children are enrolled in the free or reduced school meals program across the state.
“Across New Jersey, hundreds of thousands of families are grappling with the fallout of the Trump Administration’s unprecedented failure to fully and consistently fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown. In some cases, school breakfast and lunch may be the only meals of the day for a child facing food insecurity. As SNAP benefits remain suspended and schools across the state close this week, families will be turning to food banks for help,” NJ Gov. Phil Murphy said in a release. “This infusion of funding from the NJEDA will help food banks remain open and stocked. No one should go hungry in New Jersey.”
“The SNAP benefits crisis coupled with school closures this week presents an all-hands-on deck situation. As a member of the Governor’s Task Force on the Federal Suspension of SNAP Benefits, the NJEDA is proud to join the Administration’s whole-of-government approach to support our food banks and facilitate the access of families to food,” NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said. “Government cannot face this challenge alone and I urge the private sector and philanthropic entities to join our efforts to ensure no child goes hungry.”
“This support comes at a critical moment as households face the harmful loss of November SNAP benefits compounded by school closures where many children would normally receive breakfast and lunch. It is inhumane and simply unacceptable that in the United States of America our children are going hungry and seniors and those with disabilities don’t know where their next meal may come from,” said NJ Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “New Jersey’s food banks and their community partners are working diligently to provide extra food to families as demand is surging statewide, but they need additional financial support. Anyone who is able to donate time or resources in this moment of need are encouraged to visit their community food bank website.”
The Emergency Feeding Organizations are receiving the following funding:
“Combatting food insecurity isn’t just a matter of meeting basic needs, it’s about building vibrant communities where all families and children have the opportunity to succeed,” said NJEDA Chief Economic Security Officer Tara Colton. “During this extraordinary time, the NJEDA is committed to supporting food pantries across the state so that families have access to groceries and kids who aren’t in school this week won’t go hungry.”
“The Murphy administration remains steadfast in its commitment to combat food insecurity, and with hundreds of thousands of children currently at risk of missing meals, our fight is in overdrive,” said Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate Mark Dinglasan. “I appreciate the NJEDA’s quick response to this emerging crisis and stand ready to support New Jersey’s food banks as they navigate this unique situation.”
The funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget, which appropriated funding to the NJEDA for Food and Agriculture Innovation. Today’s funding was allocated to the organizations using the same methodology as the FY26 Food and Hunger Grants that Governor Murphy announced last week through the Department of Agriculture.
Throughout the Murphy Administration, the NJEDA has taken an active role in advancing the State’s food security goals through strategic investment, cross-agency collaboration, and innovative partnerships. Through initiatives like the FEED NJ program, the NJEDA is working to address system barriers that limit access to healthy and affordable grocery options, particularly in underserved communities.
At this time, November federal SNAP benefits are not yet available to New Jersey families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must take further action to effectuate the distribution of the contingency funds so that they can become available to recipients. The State anticipates continued gaps in access as a result of these delays caused by the federal government, and will continue to provide updates about when SNAP benefits will be issued. This situation continues to change, so SNAP food assistance recipients should check their accounts at NJFamiliesFirst.com call 800-997-3333; and visit njsnap.com for updates on the status of their SNAP benefits.
Residents are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211 here. A number of pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, non-perishable foods, shopping appointments, and information about additional services.
