Where to Find Food
During this pandemic, more and more people are finding themselves without adequate access to healthy, nutritious food. Below are some locations where you can access food.
HUDSON COUNTY FOOD SECURITY TASK FORCE
Hudson County is home to more than 74,000 residents who live in food-insecure homes. This means they live day to day wondering if they will have access to safe, affordable, healthy foods. The Hudson County Food Security Task Force believes that every person in need should have access to affordable, nutritious food, and as a result, we are working to eliminate hunger and food insecurity in our communities while seeking to improve the health and well-being of all Hudson County residents.
Food Security Task Force Website: Click here
Find County Wide Resource Guide Available in English, Spanish and Arabic here: Food Security Resource Guides
The Department of Health and Human Services contracts with the following agencies to assist with food needs across Hudson County:
- Mercy for My Neighbor: https://mercyformyneighbor.org/
- Weekly food distribution on-site: 1738 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Suite 3, Jersey City, NJ 07305
- Hunger Free Unity in the Community – Mobile Food Pantry: Weekly food distributions every Saturday in Hudson County from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM3
- The SALT Foundation, Inc.: https://www.saltfoundationinc.org/
- The Food Brigade, Inc.: https://foodbrigade.org/
- Kismet of Kings: https://www.kismetofkings.org/
- HOPES Community Action Partnership, Inc.: https://www.hopes.org/
- Monumental Baptist Church: https://www.wearemonumental.org/
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS SITE FINDER
USDA works closely with states to ensure that children who receive free or reduced-price school meals can get the nutrition they need when schools are closed for summer break. Through USDA’s summer meal programs, approved sites in communities across the country serve meals and snacks to kids 18 and younger at no cost. Families can use the Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder to find directions to nearby meal sites, as well as their hours of operation and contact information.
You can access the Summer Meals Site Finder by clicking here.
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NJ
To find food assistance near you, visit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Find Food site by clicking here.
To locate CFBNJ partner food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters near you:
- Enter your ZIP code (ZIP code lookup).
- Select the distance that you’re able to travel.
- Press the search button to view a map and a list of food pantry locations near you.
You can also text “FindFood” for English or “Comida” for Spanish to 908-224-7776 to receive helpful information on your phone in just seconds.
RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF HUDSON COUNTY
Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS)
FCHS helps people stay healthy, enjoy life, be active, and reduce health care costs. Many of today’s health problems–obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer–can be reduced through good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. FCHS encourages today’s busy families and individuals to learn more and make personal choices to improve health. FCHS combines research and practical advice to improve your health for a better tomorrow.
FCHS Outreach Focuses on:
- Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health
- School and Childcare Wellness
- Chronic Disease Prevention
- Food Safety and Food Allergy
- Food Security
More information can be found here
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
The New Jersey Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) assists limited-resource families and youth in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior changes necessary for nutritionally sound diets. This program is also intended to increase food security and dietary and nutritional welfare of participants and their families.
More information on EFNEP can be found here
Urban Agriculture and Garden Opportunities for Youth (directed by 4-H)
4H is the youth development component of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, connecting youth and our community to Rutgers University (4-H Connects Kids with Rutgers). The 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to become competent, caring, and contributing citizens of the world. Additionally, 4-H manages the two community learning gardens in Hudson County. The gardens are located in:
- Lincoln Park, Jersey City
- West Hudson Park, Kearny
Please visit the following website for information on programming, community events and garden schedules.
More information on Hudson County 4-H can be found here
NO KID HUNGRY
No Kid Hungry provides free food to children and works to ensure that kids get three healthy meals per day. To find free meals, visit here or text FOOD 877-877.
BAYONNE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION (BEOF)
The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF) provides resources to improve quality of life for low-income residents of Bayonne, NJ, and Hudson County. They have two nutrition sites: 535 Avenue A; and 16 West 4th Street. Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation
NORTH HUDSON COMMUNITY ACTION CORPORATION
The Hudson County community action agency provides free food, meals, and groceries to the low-income. In addition, they can help people apply for government assistance, public aid, and are a great place for referrals.
North Hudson Community Action Corporation
FOOD
– The Sharing Place, INC.: A food pantry in Jersey City
Address: 440 Hoboken Ave, Jersey City, NJ, 07306
Phone: (201) 963-5518
St. John’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry: A food pantry in Jersey City
Address: 155 North St, Jersey City, NJ 07307
Phone: (201) 798-0540
– Bethany Lutheran Church Food Pantry-The Beacon – Food Distribution Center: A food pantry in Jersey City
Address: 2015 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: (201) 432-8773
– Let’s Share A Meal: A Sikh-community run nonprofit organization in Jersey City that provides meals to shelters/mission-driven organizations; they provide free meals on the first Tuesday of every month at Newark Penn Station
Address: 1080 Westside Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
Phone: (201) 331-7727
– York Street Project: Provides innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate, and promote the healing and independence of persons in need, especially women and their childrenAddress: 89 York St Jersey City, NJ 07301
Phone: 201.451.9838
HUDSON COUNTY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Hudson County operates its Foodstamp, Cash Assistance and Medicaid programs at Hudson County Plaza 257 Cornelison Ave. The Food Stamp, Cash Assistance and Medicaid programs each have their own criteria for eligibility. To check if you are eligible for assistance please click the link below, there is a screening tool and a way to apply for benefits online.
NUTRITION
SNAP recipients are eligible for receive nutritional programming for themselves and their families through the NJ SNAP-ED Program, NJ SNAP-Ed, a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a nutrition and physical activity program aimed at teaching NJ residents how to make healthy, budget-friendly food choices and lead more active lives.
https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/njsnap-ed/
CHILD CARE
Essential to working families is the ability to access safe and reliable childcare services. Below is a link to the State Childcare site, The state’s childcare program can support you with information about applying for childcare assistance, licensing information, a search to find childcare and inspection reports and information on what makes a quality program.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE/MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
If you receive Public Assistance and clinical care for Substance and Mental Health Issues.
If you are experiencing a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, and the problem interferes with your ability to work or participate in work activities, you can get help. WFNJ offers an assessment and will pay for treatment at a licensed substance abuse treatment facility, as well as provide support such as childcare and transportation while you are receiving treatment. All you must do is ask your welfare case manager for a referral to the Substance Abuse Initiative Care Coordinator. Link for more information below.
https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/workfirstnj/sai/
The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addictions Services has a directory of residential care facilities, outpatient care facilities, Medication Assisted Treatment providers, and Opioid Treatment Providers The link provides a directory of all providers the State of New Jersey, you may search specifically by County.
HIV/AIDS SERVICE PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES
HUDSON COUNTY ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC (EHE) INITIATIVE
The Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Specialized Health Services receives funds to support the design and implementation of local programs to:
1) Diagnose all people with HIV as early as possible after infection
2) Treat the infection rapidly and effectively to achieve sustained viral suppression
3) Prevent new HIV transmission by using proven interventions
4) Respond quickly to potential HIV outbreaks
For additional information visit our website endhiv.hcnj.us
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