Key Highlights
- Governor Phil Murphy announced the deployment of New Jersey National Guard to support Emergency Food Organizations (EFOs) and address a crisis in SNAP benefits.
- The state is mobilizing four refrigerated storage containers for food banks in Hillside and Neptune, enhancing cold storage capacity.
- About 800,000 New Jerseyans rely on SNAP benefits, with nearly half being children and one-third having disabilities.
- SNAP federal benefits are not yet available to New Jersey families due to funding issues by the Trump Administration.
New Jersey’s Response to SNAP Benefit Crisis: National Guard Mobilized for Emergency Food Support
In a move to address the unprecedented crisis in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Governor Phil Murphy has deployed members of the New Jersey National Guard to support emergency food organizations across the state. The deployment is aimed at enhancing cold storage capacity and ensuring critical food assistance for those in need.
Enhancing Cold Storage Capacity
The State of New Jersey is mobilizing four refrigerated storage containers from its strategic stockpile, with three being delivered to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside and one to Fulfill in Neptune. These containers will provide critical cold storage capacity, allowing for the preservation of fresh foods and addressing the urgent needs of food banks during this unprecedented moment.
Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, emphasized the readiness of the National Guard to support state and local partners in ensuring that families have access to essential support. “Our Soldiers and Airmen are proud to work with state and local partners in ensuring families continue to have access to essential support,” said Mays.
Addressing the Scale of Need
About 800,000 New Jerseyans rely on SNAP benefits to meet their basic nutritional needs. Of this number, nearly half are children, one-third are individuals with disabilities, and one-fifth are over the age of 60 years. The ongoing lapse in SNAP benefits has left many residents feeling uncertain about where their next meal will come from.
Governor Murphy highlighted the failure of the Trump Administration to fund SNAP benefits as a contributing factor to this crisis. “The Trump Administration’s failure to fund SNAP benefits has left hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents feeling scared and unsure of where their next meal will come from,” said Murphy.
Continued Support for Food Assistance Recipients
The State anticipates continued gaps in access to SNAP benefits due to delays caused by the federal government. To provide updates on the status of SNAP benefits, residents are encouraged to check their accounts at NJFamiliesFirst.com or call 800-997-3333. Additional resources and information about food assistance can be found on njsnap.gov or nj.gov/snapshutdown.
A number of pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, non-perishable foods, shopping appointments, and information about additional services. Residents are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211 for assistance during this challenging time.
