Eleven non-profits and businesses serving Atlantic City will soon establish programs to help address food security. Each organization has received a Food Security Grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to launch its efforts.

Mayor Marty Small stated, “Atlantic City is taking full advantage of the State’s support to improve food access for our residents. I thank NJEDA for creating this pilot program and working closely with the City and local groups to address the food security issue.”

The Atlantic City Food Security Grant program is a pilot program awarding grants between $50,000 and $500,000 for projects to strengthen food access and food security.

Mayor Small noted, “The City and NJEDA will be meeting with the awardees soon to work as a team to help address food security issues and to ensure that the programs established are successful and sustainable.”

Earlier this year, the City was awarded two NJEDA planning grants to develop food desert options. This program required that the property owner of a distressed property support the application. Both planning grant applicants, Ideal Institute of Technology and Mighty Writers were awarded $500,000 implementation grants.

With these grant funds, Ideal will construct a co-op market within a mixed-use property that has been vacant for more than twenty years.  The co-op market will be on the ground floor with aquaponic vertical farms on the upper levels. The co-op market will be supplied year-round by produce and seafood harvested from the local providers. The project will create employment for Atlantic City residents, with a focus on youth, and will offer job training in retail and agriculture. The market will also provide a delivery service to reach residents with limited transportation access.

Mighty Writers will construct a new food pantry in the vacant Ginsburg Bakery storefront in the Northside neighborhood. This initiative is being supported through a partnership with the City under the NJEDA Food Security Planning Grant Program.

Other Atlantic City based non-profits and businesses that were awarded Food Security Grants include:

1. AtlantiCare ($500,000): will enhance its food pantry by expanding its equipment inventory, including commercial freezers, refrigerators, a commercial cooking range, workstations, and shelving. Additionally, funds will support AtlantiCare’s mobile market program by supporting supplemental food purchases, and financing vehicle fuel and maintenance costs. AtlantiCare will also introduce a new meal delivery service for seniors and medically fragile individuals.
    
2. The Community Foodbank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) ($497,176): will expand its home delivery meal program to deliver to senior residents. In partnership with DoorDash, CFBNJ will use funds to procure meals for distribution and cover delivery costs associated with the service.
    
3. Jewish Family Services of Atlantic County ($500,000): will implement a two-part strategy: establish a mobile food pantry and provide food security case management. The mobile pantry will distribute produce and other essential items at community hubs such as schools and major employers and will also offer “on-the-go” bags for individuals experiencing homelessness.
    
4. C.R.O.P.S. and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance ($499,950): will create an online Farm Share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. This initiative will allow residents to purchase a Farm Share, providing them with a biweekly box of fresh, locally grown produce throughout the year.
    
5. Bangladesh Association of South Jersey ($329,000): will enhance its existing food distribution program and provide resources and materials to its members to cultivate produce in the organization’s community gardens. The organization will self-fund the construction of a community market for residents to sell their produce.
    
6. A Meaningful Purpose ($500,000): will expand its farming infrastructure and workforce to increase crop yields. Harvests will be donated and distributed throughout Atlantic City in collaboration with nonprofit service organizations.
    
7. Save a Lot ($500,000): will upgrade its store infrastructure to offer healthier, fresher food options to customers. Planned improvements include the installation of new refrigerators, flooring, and décor.
    
8. The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City ($499,691): will continue its afterschool snack and meal program served to children and their families. Grant funds will be used to increase both the quantity and nutritional quality of the food provided.
    
9. Beron Jewish Older Adult Services ($300,000): will support its existing senior-focused food pantry and community center and will introduce a home delivery service for seniors. The pantry will offer ‘wraparound’ services including nutrition education and healthy cooking classes, supported by a targeted outreach project to enhance its impact.