With federal SNAP benefits still delayed, many New Jersey families are left with limited food options. The state is now taking matters into its own hands to make up for the disconnect.
According to the Trenton Daily, Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn has awarded $4 million in state funds to six regional food banks. The directive orders food banks to purchase food only from NJ farmers. The strategy is twofold: the grants are meant to bridge the widening gap left by suspended federal assistance and to funnel money back into the local farming economy.
The policy aligns with the state’s ongoing Hunger Initiative, designed to keep fresh food available to low-income households while supporting local farmers who have been impacted by rising costs and food chain disruptions. A 2024 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that families without access to affordable, nutritious food are at higher risk of diet-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
Wengryn says the plan will ensure families have access to healthy and affordable food despite the loss of SNAP benefits.
Which Food Banks Received Grants?
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey: $2.12 million
- Food Bank of South Jersey: $600,000
- Fulfill (Monmouth and Ocean counties): $600,000
- Mercer Street Friends: $440,000
- NORWESCAP: $120,000
- Southern Regional Food Distribution: $120,000
The funds will help purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, grains, seafood and minimally processed foods made with at least 51% New Jersey ingredients. This initiative is not meant to replace community efforts but to supplement them. The model connects farmers and food banks directly, increasing food access while providing a boost to the local economy.
Federal SNAP benefits for November remain unavailable to many New Jersey families, and the federal government has yet to confirm a release date for the funds.
It’s impossible to replace federal aid entirely, but state officials are outlining how governments can provide a cushion for vulnerable communities when federal programs stall. When SNAP funds are cut off, it’s not only families who suffer—local farmers feel the impact too. For now, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture is stepping in to ease the strain. Whether it will be enough in the long run remains to be seen.
Currently, the Trump administration is holding $4 billion in SNAP funds authorized for November. A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled last week that the White House is legally required to distribute the funds, as they were already allocated by Congress. However, the Supreme Court extended a stay on Tuesday, allowing the administration to withhold SNAP payments for now.
Congress is expected to vote later this week on reopening the government. If the bill passes, SNAP funds are expected to resume and remain funded through September.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
