Embrace Relief Surpasses 20K Pounds Of Fresh Produce Distributed In NJ

Embrace Relief proudly announces that its Mobile Farmers' Market (MFM) has distributed over 20,000 pounds of fresh produce to North Jersey families in need since its launch in 2021. This cumulative milestone was achieved during its distribution event on Saturday, Jan. 18, at School #12 in Clifton, marking a significant achievement in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity in the area.

The Mobile Farmers' Market is an innovative fresh produce distribution program designed to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity in New Jersey’s most under-resourced neighborhoods. Centered around a 20-foot-by-7.5-foot renovated bus equipped with shelves, lighting, heating and air conditioning, and refrigerators, the MFM has delivered fresh fruits and vegetables directly to underprivileged families in North Jersey communities, including East Orange, Newark, Orange, Montclair, Hackensack, and Clifton. Since September 2023, the Mobile Farmers’ Market’s primary activity has been a monthly distribution for approximately 110 families at Clifton’s School #12.

”The Mobile Farmers Market program is extremely unique because it allows us to target specific pockets of communities in need, and we are so proud to be achieving the milestone of providing 20,000 pounds of fresh produce to NJ families,” said Dana Coppola, Director of Domestic Relief at Embrace Relief. “Our community partners are incredible and help ensure we have the resources to make this program possible,” said Coppola.

The Jan. 18 event was organized in collaboration with the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey, which distributed emergency preparedness information to attending families and provided hands-on CPR demonstrations.

American Red Cross Community Disaster Program Manager Nancy Franceschi said, “It was a pleasure being here to help the community prepare for disasters and teaching them hands-on CPR.”

On the occasion of reaching 20,000 pounds of food distributed, Embrace Relief also wishes to recognize its Mobile Farmers’ Market longtime partners, including the City of Clifton’s Health Department and Health and Human Services Department; the St. Peter’s Haven food distribution center in Clifton, Peace Islands Institute, and the Turkish Cultural Center of Northern New Jersey.

The need for initiatives like the Mobile Farmers' Market has never been more urgent. According to the state Economic Development Agency, more than 1.3 million New Jerseyans reside in food deserts, areas where residents face limited access to affordable and nutritious food. With four food deserts in Passaic County alone and Clifton on the verge of being designated as one, the Mobile Farmers' Market plays a pivotal role in addressing this crisis by ensuring access to free, healthy and fresh produce for those who need it most.

The MFM began as an initiative with pop-up events to reach communities in need throughout Essex and Passaic counties. In 2023, Embrace Relief adapted its approach, instead choosing to focus on consistently providing service to low-income families in Clifton. This targeted approach enables Embrace Relief to monitor and track the program’s impact through qualitative and quantitative surveys. This data not only helps refine the program but also informs long-term goals, such as expanding the MFM to serve additional communities in Essex and Passaic counties.

For more information on Embrace Relief’s Mobile Farmers’ Market or to learn how to support the program through a financial contribution or in-kind donation, visit www.embracerelief.org/mobile-farmers-market.