Empowering Communities: How Jersey Fresh Food Security Connects NJ Farms with Families in Need

Fairgrown Farm is making a real impact in its community. In 2024, this small vegetable farm in Hopewell, NJ, distributed an impressive 500,000 pounds of fresh produce to those in need. With many in New Jersey struggling to find enough food, Fairgrown is stepping up to help.

New Jersey has a strong agricultural base, yet much of the food for local food banks comes from outside the state. To change this, Fairgrown Farm has joined a statewide effort to enhance local food banking. They want to provide fresh, locally grown produce directly to people facing food insecurity.

In early 2024, Fairgrown partnered with the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, a federal initiative aimed at supporting local farms and food banks. They began delivering weekly boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. This program quickly grew, reaching more food banks across New Jersey.

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “The LFPA program connects local food producers with emergency feeding networks. Fairgrown has gone further by helping smaller farms access crucial markets.”

To strengthen this local food system even more, the Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) invited Fairgrown to join a food security pilot program. This program directly connected small farms with food pantries and soup kitchens. In just two weeks, Fairgrown created a specialized food security program, delivering more locally grown produce to communities in need.

What makes Fairgrown successful is its collaboration with 37 partner farms. This network allows them to gather and deliver fresh produce effectively. Thanks to the LFPA program, the pilot initiative, and private donations, Fairgrown has distributed over 500,000 pounds of produce in just one year. Their impact is set to grow, especially with a new grant from Mercer Street Friends to purchase a refrigerated van.

James Klett, co-owner of Fairgrown, acknowledges the teamwork that made this possible. “The LFPA grant and the Central Jersey pilot program have established real connections between local farms and communities. We all share a common goal – to feed people,” he shared. “Working with such a dedicated community has changed my life.”

With ongoing collaboration, Fairgrown Farm is proving that local agriculture can significantly aid in the fight against hunger, one Jersey Fresh box at a time.