One in every 10 households – about 350,000 – experiences food insecurity in New Jersey, according to statistics from 2022 to 2024 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Food insecurity is defined by the USDA as a household having a lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all members of a given household, and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. USDA measures food insecurity in the U.S. and for each state at the household level.
Palmyra Mayor Gina Tait saw the need in her community.
Starting on Friday, June 26, the borough’s summer meals program with South Jersey Food Bank will provide school-age children from 4 to 17 years old with nutritious meals. Distribution will take place every Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center through Aug. 21.
“Food insecurity is rampant,” Tait said, adding that a high percentage of children receive free and reduced lunch at school.
The borough program will provide every child with five breakfasts and five lunches to help alleviate hunger during the summer months. Over the past two years, it has provided 20,000 shelf-sustainable breakfasts and lunches in the community.
“We do not turn anyone away,” Tait emphasized. “We do ask ages and if male or female.”
To address food insecurity area churches have stepped up to the plate:
- – Bread of Life Food Pantry at Epworth United Methodist Church has a food pantry the first and third Thursday every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 501 Morgan Ave.
- – Meals are offered at Evergreen Baptist Church, at 602 W 3rd St.
- – Bethany Lutheran Church offers a hot meal every fourth Thursday at 617 Morgan Ave.
