New Jersey Food Banks Celebrate First Growing Healthy Pantries Community of Practice Graduates

HAMILTON, NJ – July 17, 2026

Yesterday, New Jersey’s five food banks – the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, and Norwescap – hosted the first Growing Healthy pantries graduation ceremony. Held at Grounds For Sculpture, the event celebrated 17 local food assistance organizations that participated in a year-long learning program focused on creating healthier, choice-driven pantry environments.

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Last summer, each cohort member received up to $20,000 in grant funds to implement transformational improvement projects. From renovating pantry spaces and improving accessibility to transitioning to full-choice shopping models, the projects were designed to build more dignified experiences that empower neighbors to choose the foods that best meet their needs. Recipients then participated in a year-long community of practice – a food bank-guided peer learning experience, during which they assessed their current practices, learned from each other, and identified opportunities to make meaningful improvements.

The graduation ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the community of practice members who completed the curriculum. Dr. Jenny Schrum, Director of Research and Evaluation for the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, served as the event’s keynote speaker.

“At the heart of Growing Healthy Pantries is the belief that food pantries should be places of empowerment, not to only solve the current crisis, but to help with longer term stability. Pantries should be places where our neighbors can choose the foods that best meet their families’ needs and preferences,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “This year’s community of practice members – the first cohort to complete the program – dedicated their time, energy, and creativity to strengthening food access and creating better experiences for the communities they serve. Together, they demonstrated that when organizations learn from and support one another, they can accelerate meaningful change.”

“As we work alongside New Jersey’s food banks to make pantry experiences healthier, more dignified and more choice-driven, we are grateful to the funding partners whose generosity makes this important program possible,” said Jane Asselta, President & CEO of the Food Bank of South Jersey. “Through Growing Healthy Pantries, we are helping neighbors access nutritious food and supportive resources, while strengthening the local pantry network that families across our state rely on.”

Launched in 2022, Growing Healthy Pantries is a joint initiative by New Jersey’s five food banks. Now in its second year of implementation, the effort supports food pantries on the journey to becoming healthier spaces by providing a toolkit with resources and best practices. Successful outcomes of the effort will include greater availability of nutritious food in pantries statewide, education to support healthier food choices among pantry visitors, connection to local resources for families in need, and strengthened advocacy efforts to improve food security.

"When we invest in our pantry partners, we're investing in our neighbors. Growing Healthy Pantries is about more than improving physical spaces. It's about creating welcoming environments where people can make choices that reflect their families' needs, cultures, and preferences,” said Triada Stampas, President & CEO of Fulfill. “Together, we're building a stronger, more connected network that helps ensure every neighbor has agency, dignity, and access to the nutritious food they deserve."

“Healthy, nourishing food is the foundation of healthy communities. Mercer Street Friends is thrilled to be part of this transformative statewide effort, helping pantries across Mercer County and New Jersey create welcoming spaces where healthy foods are accessible and every neighbor can choose what best meets their family's needs,” said Randall West, CEO of Mercer Street Friends. “Together with Horizon, Feeding America, our corporate partners, and New Jersey's food banks, we are building a stronger, healthier future for the communities we serve. This initiative shows what is possible when partners unite around a shared vision. We congratulate this year's Community of Practice members on laying the groundwork for future cohorts!”

“Growing Healthy Pantries is a textbook example of partnership,” said Mark Valli, CEO of Norwescap. “Having the five Feeding America food banks working together with corporate supporters and local pantries, all to elevate the dignity of our neighbors’ pantry visits through expanded choice and increase the nutritional value of the offerings, demonstrates that we can do great things when we work together.”

Growing Healthy Pantries is made possible by funding from Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Feeding America, ADP, Goodman, Holman, Johnson & Johnson, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), North to Shore Festival, Stop & Shop, Valley Bank, and Wakefern Food Corporation.

The graduating organizations included:

Bessie Green - Newark, NJ Better Tomorrows - Camden, NJ
Bridgeton Union Baptist Temple Pantry- Bridgeton, NJ
Church of Grace and Peace - Toms River, NJ
Community Presbyterian Church - Brigantine, NJ
Fish Inc. - Piscataway, NJ
Holy Redeemer Food Pantry - Swainton, NJ
HomeFront - Lawrenceville, NJ
Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County - Margate, NJ
Jewish Family Service of Central Jersey - Elizabeth, NJ
Mercy Center, Fulfill - Asbury Park, NJ
New Hope Ministries - Delran, NJ
The Outreach Connection Food Pantry - Washington Twp, NJ
Project Self-Sufficiency - Newton, NJ
RISE - Hightstown, NJ
Salvation Army - Bridegton, NJ
St John United Methodist Church - Fairfield Township, NJ

The next cohort of Growing Healthy Pantries grant recipients and community of practice members was recently selected and includes the following organizations:

Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children – Paterson, NJ
Father English Emerg. Food Pantry – Paterson, NJ
Spanish Community Center – Landisville, NJ
Greater New Point Missionary Baptist Church – Irvington, NJ
Chances @ MCC Emergency Food Pantry – Newark, NJ
William Paterson University – Wayne, NJ
United Passaic Organization – Passaic, NJ
United Community Corporation – Newark, NJ
The Food Brigade Inc. – Clifton, NJ
The Salvation Army – Passaic, NJ
Catholic Charities – Phillipsburg, NJ
Panther Valley – Hackettstown, NJ
Our Lady of Guadalupe – Lakewood, NJ
HABcore – Oceanport, NJ
Beacon of Hope – Mount Holly, NJ
Glorious Light Christian Ministries – Paulsboro, NJ
Alliance Restoration Center – Hamilton – Mercerville, NJ
Mother Estelle Clark Food Pantry @ Bible Way Cathedral of Deliverance – Trenton, NJ

To learn more about Growing Healthy Pantries, visit growinghealthypantries.com.

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ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEY The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is the largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization in New Jersey, where nearly 1.1 million neighbors, including 1 in 7 children, struggle with the emptiness caused by hunger. We are the lead source of nourishing food for 800 pantries serving everyone from infants to college students to families and seniors. Our comprehensive approach addresses the root causes of hunger through food benefits and social services, job training and certification, local farm partnerships, and food policies that nurture all New Jerseyans. By providing food, help, and hope, we are building a food secure future for our state. CFBNJ is a proud member of Feeding America®.

ABOUT FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY The Food Bank of South Jersey believes that no one should go to bed hungry. Since 1985, it has been a pillar of hope and support for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. By distributing safe and healthy food, offering nutrition and wellness courses and partnering with local agencies on sustainable programs, FBSJ works to empower neighbors with the resources they need to thrive. In 2025, FBSJ distributed nearly 20.7 million meals through its direct distributions and network of more than 300 community partners. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit and proud member of Feeding America, the Food Bank honors its 40 years of service by expanding its commitment to a healthier, hunger-free South Jersey. Learn more at FoodBankSJ.org.

ABOUT FULFILL FOOD BANK Fulfill, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and member of Feeding America, has been providing food for families at the Jersey Shore for 40 years. Last year, through its network of nearly 300 community partners including food pantries and soup kitchens, it provided more than 15 million nutritious meals to families, children, seniors, veterans and more. Fulfill also offers a suite of programs to connect people to the resources they need to become self-sufficient, including helping individuals and families obtain SNAP benefits and affordable health care and graduating adult students from our Culinary Skills Training program. Fulfill also assists families find help for utility expenses, connects seniors to needed services, provides free meals to children throughout the year, and cultivates school and community garden programs to help provide nutritious foods. To learn more about Fulfill’s programs or how to get involved, visit www.fulfillnj.org.

ABOUT MERCER STREET FRIENDS Mercer Street Friends is a nonprofit organization that provides food for those who are food insecure, support for families, and educational opportunities that lead to better tomorrows. We work in collaboration with social and human service organizations, the Trenton School District and medical health resources to ensure that families of all ages and stages can access the services they need to live a more fulfilling life.

ABOUT NORWESCAP Norwescap, a leading Community Action Agency founded in 1965, is dedicated to empowering families and individuals in New Jersey. Through a comprehensive array of services, Norwescap guides individuals through crises and challenges, helping them move toward a thriving future. Our programs address immediate needs and build long-term success strategies in education, employment, financial empowerment, health and nutrition, housing and community development, and volunteerism, embodying the spirit of community empowerment and self-sufficiency. To learn more about Norwescap and its initiatives, please visit norwescap.org.