Rowan College of South Jersey announced on Nov. 7 that it has received a Hunger-Free Campus Act grant of $56,250 for the 2025 fiscal year from the state’s secretary of higher education.
The funds will help ensure that students have access to affordable meals on campus. The food will be served on scheduled days during each month of the semester.
“The faculty, staff and administrators at Rowan College of South Jersey understand that the academic achievement and personal development of our students depend on a healthy and nourished student body,” said college President Dr. Frederick Keating.
“We are honored to receive the Hunger-Free Campus Grant, ensuring that students will not have to choose between their education and their basic nutritional and personal needs.”
Rowan was one of 34 state institutions that got a total of $1.2 million in grants, according to a college press release, inspired by statistics that show one in three students in the state lacks steady access to a food resource.
“The modern-day student experience looks very different than in the past,” explained Mark Dinglasan, of the state secretary of education’s office. “While pursuing educational opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives, students are balancing jobs, supporting families or simply facing precarious circumstances that can force them to make difficult decisions between paying for food, rent, tuition and other needs.”
The Hunger-Free Campus Act was introduced in 2019 to ease the financial burden of college students.
“The (grants) reflect New Jersey’s continued commitment to supporting students and fighting hunger,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “We want every college student to have the support they need to reach their full potential and addressing food insecurity is essential to achieving that goal.”
“By adding fresh food options to our existing selection of shelf-stable items,” offered Kristen Wilson, Rowan’s director of Behavioral Services, “we aim to provide students with a broader range of nutritious and accessible food choices.”
