By Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul

 

While the economy has bounced back with stronger growth and lower inflation, food insecurity continues to grow. 

In fact, the number of people in Monmouth and Ocean counties considered food insecure rose 25 percent between 2019 and 2022. Food pantries in the two counties served twice as many people in 2024 than in 2022, 103,000 residents compared to 54,000 just two years ago. 

Part of the problem is that wages have not kept pace with rising food prices. At the same time, many people are struggling with higher housing costs and there are those who earn an income that just pits them over the eligibility for food assistance. . 

Food insecurity continues to grow, according to Feed America. Statewide, one-in-nine residents, 994,800 people are facing hunger. They include one-in-eight children, 263,260 of them, who face going to bed hungry.

That’s why we have proposed a pilot program to provide state corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for the value of fruits and vegetables that commercial farmers donate to a charitable organization. The amount of the credit is equal to 50 percent of the wholesale value of the fruits or vegetables donated, not to exceed the value of $5,000 during each tax period. The bill appropriates $100,000 a year for the program.

We are also working to provide other resources to assist people who are income challenged by helping them save on the cost of meeting other living expenses to free up more of their household budgets to put food on the table. Our bill establishing a one-year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program was signed into law last summer. 

This bill came about because menstrual products and diapers are not covered under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Women, Infants, Children (WIC) food assistance programs. We believe that mothers who are struggling to provide food for their families should not have to also struggle to provide clean diapers as well. This new law appropriates $2.5 million to the state Department of Human Services to fund the pilot program. 

We all can help in the efforts to assist Monmouth County residents who are food insecure. A $25 donation to Fulfill buys 75 meals and a $500 donation can feed 1,500 people. Fulfill also has a navigation tool, found at fulfillnj.org/get-help/, to help residents and families find food pantries, soup kitchens, and other resources near their homes. 

The Monmouth County Division of Social Services also has programs to assist families that are food insecure for extended periods of time, including SNAP. 

We are committed to continue working with and supporting our nonprofit partners and working together to ensure that all New Jersey residents have enough to eat. 

As we approach the start of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week on Monday, we urge residents who can help to donate money, food, or time as volunteers to our local food banks and soup kitchens. In addition to ensuring fewer children go to bed hungry, you will be making Monmouth County a fairer, more affordable and more equitable place for all residents.

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