$350K Raised For NJ Families In Need By Community FoodBank

LINWOOD, NJ — The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) hosted its Eighth Annual Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 25, raising more than $350,000 for families in need.

For the second time, the event was held in two locations simultaneously – one at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park and one at Linwood Country Club in Linwood – to unite supporters from across the state. In total, 550 people attended the Luncheon, according to CFBNJ.

The South Jersey event was sponsored by ACME Nourishing Neighbors, Spencer’s & Spirit Halloween, and Atlantic City Electric.

CFBNJ works to address hunger as a health issue, providing nearly 37 million pounds of fresh produce annually so that neighbors in need can live healthy, active, and productive lives, they said in a news release. The organization distributes over 90 million meals annually to support neighbors’ nutritional needs related to health concerns, cultural considerations, and food preferences.

Luncheon attendees supported a healthy lifestyle and spice food drive to help CFBNJ provide healthy, flavorful food. They brought low-sodium canned vegetables, canned chicken, low-sodium canned soups, and bottled spices and dried herbs to the event for distribution to CFBNJ’s partner pantries. The drive collected nearly 2,400 pounds of these sought-after items.

The Luncheon began at 11 a.m. with a volunteer hour at both locations, during which attendees packed close to 1,100 healthy lifestyle meal kits that included canned chicken, low-sodium chicken broth, low-sodium canned vegetables, fruit in natural juice, split peas, rice, garlic powder, Italian herbs and a recipe card.

The event’s lunch and formal program featured an interview with celebrated chef and food justice advocate Sophia Roe. Roe is a Brooklyn-based James Beard Award winning chef, writer, founder of Apartment Miso, and Emmy Award-nominated TV host known for her distinct lens on honesty, diversity, and inclusivity. The interview was live in North Jersey and simulcast in South Jersey. Arrangements for the appearance of Sophia Roe were made through UTA Speakers, New York, NY.

“Food insecurity is not a new issue. It’s a systemic problem that’s going to require incredible shifts in legislation, mindset, healthcare, supply chain distribution, education, etc.,” Roe said. “We are only well when our neighbors and community are also well. Every moment is an opportunity for action and solution integration.”

The second part of the South Jersey event included a live conversation between certified nutritionist and fitness professional Nancy Adler, Samantha Kiley, Executive Director for the AtlantiCare Foundation, and Michelle Gross, Director of Community Nutrition at CFBNJ. They spoke about health and wellness and how the conditions in which we work, live, and grow affect our well-being. In North Jersey, this portion of the program featured a live discussion between Sophia Roe, Andrea B. Harris, MBA, CHIE, PAHM, Vice President, Chief Quality & Health Equity Officer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and Jeannie Fournier, Vice President of Programs & Services at CFBNJ.

“Access to food, healthcare, education, and other critical necessities shapes health and well-being. That’s why CFBNJ works to create and follow strict guidelines about the nutritional quality of foods we source and distribute to our neighbors,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “This year, our Eighth Annual Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon brought anti-hunger advocates from across the state together to support this effort. We’re grateful to the sponsors, attendees, and event chairs who made it possible.”