Food Desert Communities – NJEDA Listening Session

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has released a draft list of New Jersey’s designated food desert communities for public feedback. Funding passed under the Food Desert Relief Act, part of the Economic Recovery Act signed into law by Governor Murphy in January 2021, will be available to these 50 communities. The Food Desert Relief Act directs the NJEDA to address the food security needs of communities across New Jersey by providing up to $40 million per year for six years in tax credits, loans, grants, and/or technical assistance to increase access to nutritious foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food deserts. NJEDA is seeking public comment on its draft food desert community designations and invites members of the public to a listening session to learn more about the methodology, data, and process to create a food desert designation that reflects the unique context of New Jersey. Members of the public will have the opportunity to offer comment on the designations.