Bergen County Hosts 1st Ever Food Pantry Summit

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — County officials hosted the first ever Food Pantry Summit this week, celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Bergen County Food Security Task Force. In attendance were over 100 pantry directors and volunteers, officials said.

“Our pantry directors and volunteers have been on the front lines of this pandemic, but have only able to connect with each other via zoom as they continue to push against the surging tide of hunger in our community,” said Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Liaison to the Food Security Task Force.

“This summit has enabled us to forge greater connections with others fighting the same battle, and plan for the ongoing response to the unprecedented levels of need in Bergen County.”

In July 2020, the County administration, in collaboration with Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, launched the Bergen County Food Security Task Force to connect county advisors with non-profit partners to address food security issues on a regional scale.

Since, the Task Force has spearheaded several initiatives including expanding computer, refrigerator and freezer access to pantries, increasing the supply of emergency food available as the pandemic continued to heighten food insecurity.

"The Food Security Task Force and its network of stakeholders have played an integral role throughout the pandemic and the recovery progress, working to strengthen the strained food safety net so many found themselves relying on," said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.

"The County of Bergen is also grateful for the outpouring of generosity from community and private partners whose support further bolstered the Task Force’s operation. Looking forward, the Task Force hopes to continue its investment in infrastructure to create a more resilient pantry network that can withstand future challenges."

Those in attendance addressed potential future challenges at the meeting, which also doubled as an opportunity to honor what they'd achieved.

“Today, we had the opportunity to thank those who operate local food pantries in Bergen County, who have been working tirelessly to provide for our residents” said Commissioner Steve Tanelli. “Each pantry and local agency is an important part of Bergen County’s network of services, ensuring everyone has adequate access to enough nutritious food.”

The Task Force isn't done helping either.

For Hunger Action Month in September, they will be partnering with Westfield Garden State Plaza who is hosting a “Canstruction” Competition. This consists of teams building intricate structures made out of cans, which will be on display at the mall in September. The cans will subsequently be donated.

The Task Force will also be holding a cereal collection and domino competition among schools across the county, portraying to students that we can all be a part of the solution to food insecurity, officials said.

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