Community FoodBank of New Jersey

September is #HungerActionMonth! The Feeding America network is calling on everyone to take one million actions against hunger. Every action counts – whether you donate, advocate, volunteer or spread the word online. Let’s end hunger together. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gM84NsUg

Hannah Conner and Joey Soto began pursuing their lifelong dream of growing and sharing fresh, healthy produce in 2019 by renting sections of other people’s farms. As first-generation farmers, they found it difficult to secure a plot of land to call their own. But that changed three years ago when they moved to their permanent home in Cream Ridge, thanks to a Community Supported Agriculture member who was looking to sell her property. Today, Ramblin Sol Farm is Certified Organic, Certified Real Organic, and produces more than 50 different crops – everything from eggplants to tomatoes to leafy greens. Through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA), a statewide, USDA-funded program that CFBNJ administers, Ramblin Sol provides 100 fresh produce boxes per week to three Fulfill partner pantries. CFBNJ uses LFPA funds from the NJDA to buy food from socially disadvantaged farmers and producers for distribution in underserved communities in all 21 New Jersey counties. "Providing food for pantries is meaningful because we knew when we started the farm that we wanted to make our food accessible to everyone,” Hannah and Joey told us. They also appreciate the boost that LFPA has given their business. “LFPA has helped us answer some of the financial questions we've had. Our biggest challenge right now is stability,” they said. “We love growing food, but the logistics of getting the food to the right people are complicated, so LFPA is really helping us out with that.” Thanks to the financial benefits that LFPA provides, Hannah and Joey were able to hire their very first employees – local people with lots of experience farming. “We want to keep our employees coming back every year,” they said. “We want them to rise with us because they're really important to us. They're making this whole operation function.” Hannah and Joey have big dreams for Ramblin Sol’s future. They hope to develop a succession plan and put one of their employees into a management position so that the farm will stay productive and feed the neighborhood for a long time to come. Ramblin Sol is part woman-owned and part Latino-owned, and Hannah and Joey are excited that LFPA is working to put socially disadvantaged farmers on the map. "LFPA is creating this unique opportunity where we can help others that are less represented in the agricultural community to be able to contribute to the food system so that we can really have a healthy, thriving local food economy,” they shared.

🗣️ Join us for a virtual discussion with CFBNJ President & CEO Elizabeth McCarthy! On Tuesday, September 17 at 12 pm, CFBNJ will host a live Zoom webinar about our impact in 2024 and strategic outlook in 2025. You'll have a chance to ask any questions you may have. Registration is not required. Just save this link to attend: https://lnkd.in/eHXYRK7M

Imagine your life as a story told long after you're gone. What would people say is your legacy? August is National Make a Will Month. Join Certified Financial Planner, Emerging Leaders member, and Chair of CFBNJ's Planned Giving Committee, Matt Filik, to answer some fun and informative true or false questions about estate planning. Ready to make a planned gift to CFBNJ? Visit cfbnj.planmylegacy.org to learn more.

"If you are blessed to have food on your table and want to help others in your community, consider getting involved in a nonprofit or food bank. Or, if you are looking for food or resources for yourself, a family member or a friend, consider the following." Thank you to our friend Steve Adubato for mentioning CFBNJ in his article in this month's issue of New Jersey Monthly Magazine!

Last week, CFBNJ staff gathered together for a team retreat in at Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch to have a fun day in the sun!☀️ Team members relaxed, ate, and participated in a variety of activities, including beach volleyball, yoga, painting, and so much more. 🏖️ Want to be a part of a fun team and have a fulfilling career? CFBNJ is hiring in multiple departments across the organization. Employees receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and 401k matching. Apply at cfbnj.org/careers. #TalentTuesday

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the state’s largest anti-hunger and anti-poverty organization, has received a $100,000 grant from Bank of America, it announced Wednesday. The grant will provide general operating support for the organization, which aims to end food insecurity in a state where nearly 1 million people are food-insecure, including more than 260,000 children. CFBNJ serves 15 of the state’s 21 counties through food distribution and support services. Read more:

💼 You can have it all with a career at CFBNJ! ✅Great pay ✅Great benefits ✅Learning and growth opportunities ✅Generous time off ✅A chance to make a difference in your community We're hiring in several departments across the organization. CFBNJ employees receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and 401k matching. #TalentTuesday Apply at cfbnj.org/careers.

"'If I tell you that I’m hungry, then I’m hungry.' This simple sentiment, expressed by one of our neighbors, is one we unfortunately hear more and more. You may have thought that the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — a time of lockdowns and mass unemployment — was also the peak for food insecurity in our state. But a new report released by Feeding America paints a far different picture." Read more about how New Jersey's food banks are standing together with policymakers to address increasing food insecurity in this NJ Spotlight News op-ed, coauthored by the CEOs of CFBNJ, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, and Norwescap.

Meet Larry, CFBNJ’s Guest Relations Manager, who has served as the “face of the FoodBank” welcoming guests and volunteers for over 16 years. If you've been to CFBNJ's Hillside office, you've likely seen Larry's smiling face checking in guests, managing CFBNJ packages and deliveries, and directing volunteers. Keep watching to find out more about Larry's daily responsibilities and learn why working at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is meaningful to him. 🧡 👋 Want to join our team and pursue a career that makes a difference? CFBNJ is hiring in multiple departments across the organization. Employees receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and 401k matching. #TalentTuesday