2024-25 Report: A Closer Look at Our Collective Impact
September 1, 2025
Announcement
Image credit:
The Food Trust
Daniella, from fund grantee The Food Trust, has been collaborating with a Camden corner store owner on offering more nutritious grab-and-go options.
Launched in 2024 as a public-private partnership, the New Jersey Food Fund was built to do more than respond to rising levels of food insecurity in the state—it was created to reshape the systems that perpetuate it. In less than two years, we've:
Deployed $1.3 million in grants across 38 organizations
Influenced communities in 20 of New Jersey’s 21 counties
Helped grantees secure $2 million in additional funding through our Grant Navigator program
Funded projects connecting local farmers to underserved communities, expanding home delivery to rural and homebound residents, and piloting innovative food rescue technology, as well as collaborative food purchasing among emergency food providers
But numbers only tell part of the story. This report highlights the people, partnerships, and principles behind the work—including case studies, lessons learned, and priorities for what’s to come.
“This isn’t just about providing more emergency food—it’s about supporting a food security system that, every step of the way, more effectively connects the nutritious food and resources we have in New Jersey with the families and communities who need them.”
— Brad Preston, Fund Manager
The report also reflects our identity as a learning organization—one that listens to grantees, convenes funders, and adapts in real time. We share:
What worked in our first year-plus
How and why our programs evolved
Where we see opportunities for greater coordination and innovation across the state
As we look ahead, we’ll continue to:
Expand support for systems-level work across rural, suburban, and urban communities
Strengthen funder coordination and shared learning
Elevate community-driven solutions—and ensure they're supported, not sidelined
We invite you to read the full report, share it with your colleagues and partners, and join us in reimagining what’s possible for New Jersey.