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.
Hunger in New Jersey
Donate to NJAHC
How many people in New Jersey experience hunger and food insecurity?
- Over 281,000 households in New Jersey report being “food insecure” in 2007 (8.8% of NJ’s population). “Food insecurity” is lacking access to adequate, nutritious food for healthy living. –Food Research and Action Center, 2008.
- According to the Community Food Bank of NJ, emergency food pantries served by the food bank report a 20-30% increase this year in the number of people coming for food assistance. –Community FoodBank of NJ, September 2008.
- Between 2006 and 2007, 66.54% of food pantries reported an increase in the number of families with children served; 49.44% reported an increase in the number of senior citizens served; 34.20% reported an increase in the number of people with jobs served. -Statewide Emergency Food and Anti-Hunger Network (SEFAN) Hunger Survey, February 2008
- 1 out of 5 New Jersey families does not earn enough to afford basic necessities such as food and housing. 85% of these households have at least one member who is employed; only 6% of them receive welfare. –Poverty Research Institute, 2008
- Over 738,900 people in NJ live at or below the poverty level. There are 1.6 million people in the state who are classified as working poor (incomes below 185% of poverty level). –Food Research and Action Center, “State of the States 2007”
- 575,000 children (27% of children) in New Jersey live in low-income households. –Association for Children of NJ, “New Jersey Kids Count 2007”
Why do people experience hunger and food insecurity?
The high cost of living (housing, utilities, healthcare, childcare and transportation costs) coupled with low wages, unemployment and fixed incomes often make it difficult or impossible for many NJ households to afford food. Many households must make choices like whether to buy food or pay for heat or medicine.
- minimum wage in NJ is $7.15 per hour (or less than $15,000 per year)
- according to the Poverty Research Institute, a family with one adult and one school age child would really need to earn between $15.24 per hour (in Essex County) and $24.12 per hour (in Somerset County) just to meet basic household needs.
- the minimum disability benefit (SSI) is only $674. per month.
- fair market rent on a standard 2 bedroom apartment in NJ is about $1,157. per month. In order to afford this rent, a household would need to have an annual income of approximately $46,287. per year. The estimated number of renters in NJ unable to afford this 2 bedroom apartment is 568,807.
What help is available for people who cannot afford food for themselves and their families?
There are government programs and charitable organizations available to those in need. To find out more about federal and state programs that help hungry New Jersey residents, click here. To find a list of charitable organizations, (food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters) click here.
To view the full results of SEFAN’s Hunger Survey, click here.