New Jersey asking residents for ideas how to alleviate
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is asking residents of the Garden State — especially those struggling with food insecurity and those living in “food deserts” without easy access to fresh, nutritious foods — to share their insights and ideas.
Residents can respond by 11:59 p.m. May 17 by visiting www.njeda.com/bidding/#OET and clicking on the tab that reads “Economic Transformation Requests for Information.”
The NJEDA is working with Gov. Phil Murphy’s office, the NJ Division of Community Affairs, and NJ Dept. of Agriculture to implement the Food Desert Relief Act signed into law by Murphy in January.
The law directs the NJEDA to address food insecurity and other needs of underserved communities across the state by providing up to $40 million a year for six years in tax credits, loans, grants and technical assistance to increase access to nutritious foods and alleviate food deserts.
According to a release by the NJEDA, 775,000 state residents reported experiencing food insecurity in 2018, long before the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. That number is projected to grow by more than 60 percent, to more than 1.2 million New Jersey residents, 13 percent of the state’s population, by this year. State officials estimated that 365,000 children, or about 1 in 5, will experience food insecurity this year.
Nationwide: Local leaders help communities where healthy food is hard to find amid coronavirus
The state is seeking insight from municipalities, school districts, hunger relief organizations, retailers, producers and processors, community stakeholders, academic researchers, nonprofits, agricultural organizations and farmers market organizers.
Responses can also be emailed by 11:59 p.m. May 17 to: [email protected]. The subject line of the email should state: “RFI Response-2021-RFI-OET-COVID19-FoodDesert-125.”
Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has covered Camden and surrounding areas since 2015, concentrating on issues relating to quality of life and social justice. She’s called South Jersey home since 1971. Contact her with feedback, news tips or questions at [email protected], on Twitter @By_Phaedra, or by phone at 856.486-2417.
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