New Jersey
Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC)
formerly the Statewide Emergency Food and Anti-Hunger Network (SEFAN)
The mission of the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC) is to end hunger in New Jersey through education, advocacy and activism.
The New Jersey
Anti-Hunger Coalition is a program of the Center for Food Action (CFA). Log on to the CFA website for more information.
Feeding Programs
PLEASE SUPPORT THE NEW JERSEY ANTI-HUNGER COALITION
What's Happening
Children Can't Wait: Ask Congress to Pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization This Year!!
In a significant effort to move towards President Obama's (and NJAHC's!) goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015, Congress needs to pass a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) bill this year. The House bill, "Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act" (HR 5504), provides critical support for low-income children by improving their access to healthy food in school, at after school and child care programs, and during the summer.
Your Voice is needed on this issue! Please participate in a nationwide "Call-in to Congress and the White House" during the next two weeks before Congress adjourns for summer recess in August. Urge your members of Congress and President Obama to pass a robust CNR bill before the end of the 111th Congress.
CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-866-277-7617 to connect to your Representatives and Senators and to reach the White House.
For more information about Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) and HR 5504, log onto www.frac.org.
Governor Christie Cuts State Funds for School Meals
In June, Gov. Christie signed a state budget that included $5.9 million in cuts to funds for school breakfast and lunch programs, despite strong advocacy efforts on the part of NJAHC and our partners throughout the state. NJAHC called upon Governor Christie and the State Legislature to preserve funds for school meals so that low-income children have access to healthy meals at school.
Pictured below: Assemblyman Gary Schaer (District 36), Adele LaTourette (Director of the NJAHC) and Rev. Bruce Davidson (Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries) address the press at an event at the State House on May 18th. The NJAHC hosted the event to highlight Governor Christie's proposed cuts to school breakfast and lunch programs, and the consequences for low-income children at risk of hunger in NJ.
Pictured below: Congressman Frank Pallone (6th Congressional district) speaks at the NJAHC press event about current federal efforts to strengthen Child Nutrition programs, in contrast to proposed state budget cuts.
Data Shows NJ with 9th Largest Increase in Nation in the Number of Households Struggling with Hunger
New Jersey had 10.3% of its people living in households that struggled with hunger during the 2006-2008 period, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual report that was released in November 2009. This number is up 2.2% (from 8.1% between 2003-2005), showing one of the largest increases in the nation in the number of people experiencing food insecurity. The increase in food insecurity in NJ from 2003-5 to 2006-8 was close to three times the national increase of 0.8%.
Thousands of Children and Millions of Dollars Being Left Behind: New Report Shows NJ’s Poor Performance in School Breakfast for Low-Income Children
New Jersey ranks 45th among all states in the nation and the District of Columbia in school breakfast participation among low-income, eligible children. According to a School Breakfast report issued this month by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a national anti-hunger organization, only 37.9% of low-income children in NJ who received school lunch also participated in the breakfast program during the 2008-2009 school year.
In addition to the thousands of low-income children who are missing out on school breakfast, millions in federal dollars are being left behind at a time when NJ desperately needs this revenue. If just 60% of all eligible students who participated in free or reduced price lunch also participated in breakfast, 83,337 more children would be fed and an additional $19,172,047 in federal funds would flow into the state.
To read the full breakfast report, log onto www.frac.org
Fighting Childhood Hunger
through Strong, Effective and Accessible
Child Nutrition Programs
Pictured above: Day campers are all smiles as they enjoy a nutritious lunch at the Pleasantville Recreation program. Lunch is provided to the children through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
The NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC), along with our agency partners throughout the state, are calling for improvements to Child Nutrition Programs (including Summer Food Service Program and School Meals) so that more children living in low-income households will have access to healthy food at home, at school and in the community.
Child Nutrition Programs Scheduled for Federal Reauthorization
Pictured from left to right: Lisa Pitz and Adele LaTourette of the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC) and Ellen Teller, Director of Government Affairs at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), talk with Congressional staffers about reauthorization of Child Nutrition Programs that help feed low-income children.
NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition Launches Every Child, Every Day:
Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in New Jersey by 2015
In February 2009, the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition recently launched “Every Child, Every Day”: A Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in New Jersey by 2015. This comprehensive campaign includes federal, state and local strategies designed to help more low-income children access nutritious food for healthy living. Read full story.
Pictured above: At a kick off event at the State House for "Every Child, Every Day: Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in NJ", students from Trenton Catholic Academy help the NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC) hand out bagged breakfasts to State Legislators to promote the importance of school breakfast and the need to expand the program.
Hunger in NJ
- New Jersey had 10.3% of its people living in households that struggled with hunger during the 2006-2008 period.
- 1 out of 5 New Jersey families does not earn enough to afford basic necessities such as food and housing.
- 575,000 children (27% of children) in New Jersey live in low-income households.
- 66.5% of food pantries and 60.68% of soup kitchens that responded to SEFAN’s 8th Hunger Survey reported an increase in the number of families with children coming for help.