New Jersey Food Security Initiative
The New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) is a three-year, RWJF-funded grantmaking program led by FRAC that awards grants to nonprofits, counties, and healthcare systems in New Jersey to advance food security, nutrition equity, and anti-hunger policy through 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersNew Jersey, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What New Jersey Food Security Initiative does
The New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) is a three-year (2024-2026) cross-sector collaborative initiative that distributes grants, convenes stakeholders, and advocates for policy changes to reduce food insecurity and improve nutrition equity across New Jersey. It is led by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), a national anti-hunger nonprofit, with $1,000,000 in grant funding provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). NJFSI does not develop proprietary technology; its operational substrate is a competitive Call for Proposals (CFP) administered through FRAC's online application portal, alongside an Advisory Committee, community focus groups, and the annual Garden State Conference on Food Security.
NJFSI serves community-based organizations, county and state government agencies, school districts, universities, and healthcare systems operating in New Jersey. Its primary grantees are City Green, Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces (CROPS), CUMAC ECHO, Nourish.NJ, and RWJBarnabas Health, supplemented by county-level grantees in Bergen, Hudson, and Salem counties. Functional programs include Good Food Bucks nutrition incentives at SNAP-authorized retailers, benefits navigation pilots, healthcare-integrated SNAP navigator embedding, and advocacy for the permanent Summer EBT program.
NJFSI's revenue model is grantmaking rather than commercial: it receives a fixed $1,000,000 grant pool from RWJF, distributes it as one-time awards of $175,000-$225,000 to 4-6 organizations, and supports the cohort over 15-month grant periods beginning June 2024. Core partnerships with the NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate and Hunger Free New Jersey provide policy and advocacy infrastructure. The initiative is intentionally structured around systems-level outcomes that can be sustained past the three-year funding window, with research and evaluation support provided by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact.
New Jersey Food Security Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- New Jersey Food Security Initiative
- Legal name
- New Jersey Food Security Initiative
- Website
- https://njfsi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) is a three-year, RWJF-funded grantmaking program led by FRAC that awards grants to nonprofits, counties, and healthcare systems in New Jersey to advance food security, nutrition equity, and anti-hunger policy through 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
New Jersey Food Security Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Food Security and Nutrition Grantmaking Programs
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (624210), Community Food Services (62421), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nutrition Governance, Policy & Coordination (SUN, National Plans) (BPADAJAL), Public Health Financing, Budgeting & Grants Management (HLAJAMAC)
Keywords
Where New Jersey Food Security Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Jersey
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
New Jersey Food Security Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: NJFSI is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) as a three-year initiative (2024-2026). Funding is distributed as grants to qualifying organizations through a competitive Call for Proposals process.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Grant awards ranging from $175,000 to $225,000 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
New Jersey Food Security Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The New Jersey Food Security Initiative is a three-year (2024-2026) statewide grantmaking and advocacy initiative that distributes foundation funding to community-based organizations, government agencies, and universities to implement food security, nutrition, and health equity programs across New Jersey. The initiative funds a portfolio of grantee projects, county-level programs, nutrition incentives (such as Good Food Bucks), benefits navigation pilots, and Summer EBT implementation efforts. NJFSI itself does not sell products or services; it administers grant awards of $175,000-$225,000 through a competitive Call for Proposals process and supports cross-sector collaboration via an Advisory Committee and Core Partners.
Product overview
The New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) is a three-year (2024-2026) cross-sector collaborative initiative led by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Rather than a unified software product, NJFSI operates as a grant-making and advocacy program portfolio consisting of: a $1,000,000 funding program supporting 4-6 grantees implementing food security initiatives; a County Grantee Program supporting Bergen, Hudson, and Salem counties; the Good Food Bucks nutrition incentive program; and a Summer EBT implementation effort. The initiative focuses on advancing food security and health equity through policy advocacy, community outreach, and systems-level changes across New Jersey.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NJFSI Phase One Grant Program (Call for Proposals) A competitive grantmaking program offering $175,000-$225,000 one-time awards (totaling $1,000,000 across 4-6 recipients) for community-based organizations, government agencies, school districts, and universities implementing food security, nutrition, and health equity initiatives in New Jersey over a 15-month grant period.
- County Grantee Program Multi-county grant initiative funding Hudson, Salem, and Bergen counties to implement food pantry training, SNAP navigator certification, healthcare-food security integration, community purchasing power initiatives, and benefit navigator pilot programs.
- Statewide Grantee Program Grant program funding five organizations (City Green, CROPS, CUMAC ECHO, Nourish.NJ, RWJBarnabas Health) at $225,000 each to address food insecurity across New Jersey through nutrition incentives, benefits enrollment, and healthcare partnerships.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 9% of NJ households experienced food insecurity in 2022
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use New Jersey Food Security Initiative
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
New Jersey Food Security Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
New Jersey Food Security Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)coreFRAC is the lead organization for NJFSI, improving the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger through advocacy, partnerships, and equitable policy solutions. FRAC manages the initiative including the Call for Proposals process.
- Center for Nutrition & Health ImpactcoreFormerly the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, this independent nonprofit research organization provides research, evaluation, and partnership in nutrition-related programs including food insecurity initiatives.
- New Jersey Office of the Food Security AdvocatecoreCore Partner responsible for coordinating the administration of the State's food security programs, advocating for residents experiencing food insecurity, and advancing policy to secure greater access to food relief programs in New Jersey. Focuses on implementing Summer EBT program.
- Hunger Free New JerseycoreCore Partner and leading advocacy organization working to end hunger in New Jersey, a program of Center for Food Action (CFA). Utilizing NJFSI grant to connect more NJ families with federal nutrition programs.
- City GreenminorNJFSI grantee operating Good Food Bucks nutrition incentive programs at SNAP-authorized farmers markets and grocery stores statewide.
- Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces (CROPS)minorNJFSI grantee focused on Atlantic City Food Security Now project addressing the second worst food desert in New Jersey.
- CUMAC ECHO INC.minorNJFSI grantee operating the Passaic County Food Security Collaborative to streamline benefits enrollment and achieve collective impact.
- Nourish.NJminorNJFSI grantee addressing food insecurity among people of color and low-income residents of Morris County by improving SNAP and WIC access.
- RWJBarnabas HealthminorNJFSI grantee conducting the first statewide effort to embed SNAP Navigators directly into healthcare settings.
- Hudson County (NJ)minorCounty grantee focusing on food pantry employee training, SNAP navigator certification, and school support for SNAP-eligible families.
- Salem County (NJ)minorCounty grantee with three-pronged approach: healthcare integration with food security referrals, community purchasing power initiatives, and anti-hunger policy education.
- Bergen County (NJ)minorCounty grantee partnering with Greater Bergen Community Action and Ramapo College MSW Program for benefit navigator pilot program.
- The Food TrustminorAdvisory Committee member organization represented by Jessica Borger, VP of Programs & Development. The Food Trust focuses on implementation of strategic initiatives and programmatic synergies for food security.
- Coalition for Food and Health EquityminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Dr. Leeja Carter, CEO & Founder. Expert organization on inclusive and equity-focused practice in health and wellness.
- Food Democracy CollaborativeminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Jeanine Cava, Co-Founder. State-level food system policy and systems-change network using the food policy council model.
- New Jersey YMCA State AllianceminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Marissa Davis, VP of Community & Equity Initiatives. Organization supporting communities and increasing food security.
- Community Foundation of New JerseyminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Hans Decker, President. Foundation involved in food security relief work during pandemic response.
- Fair Share Housing CenterminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Eric Dobson, Deputy Director.
- New Jersey Food CouncilminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Linda Doherty, President & CEO.
- Rutgers Cooperative ExtensionminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Sara Elnakib, Department Chair/Associate Professor. Research focuses on policy, systems, and environmental approaches to promote child health equity.
- New Jersey Economic Development AuthorityminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Rucha Gadre, Director of Food Security.
- Community Food Bank of New JerseyminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Adele LaTourette, Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy.
- New Jersey Hospital AssociationminorAdvisory Committee member represented by Victoria Brogan, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.
- Bayshore Recycling Corp.minorAdvisory Committee member represented by Gary Sondermeyer, VP of Operations. Former NJ Department of Environmental Protection Chief of Staff.
- Rutgers University (WIC Program)minorAdvisory Committee member represented by Susan Stephenson-Martin of WIC Program NJMS Pediatrics. Focus on Community and Public Health Nutrition for underserved communities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
New Jersey Food Security Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit that operates nutrition incentive programs (e.g., Double Up Food Bucks) at farmers markets for SNAP participants, directly comparable to City Green's Good Food Bucks work funded by NJFSI.
- Hunger Free Vermont: Vermont-focused food security advocacy organization that works on SNAP/WIC enrollment, school meals, and policy reform. Closely mirrors NJFSI's state-scoped grantmaking and policy advocacy model.
- The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based food access organization with deep experience in nutrition incentives, farmers markets, and healthy food access programs. An NJFSI Advisory Committee member and direct operational peer.
- Hunger Solutions New York: State-level food security advocacy organization in New York that advances anti-hunger policy, maximizes enrollment in federal nutrition programs, and operates in parallel to NJFSI's mission and structure. Highly comparable model, just in a neighboring state.
- Fair Food Network: National nonprofit that originated the Double Up Food Bucks model, which is structurally similar to NJFSI-funded Good Food Bucks. Comparable program design and target beneficiaries (SNAP users at farmers markets).
Others
- Food Research & Action Center (FRAC): National anti-hunger advocacy organization that serves as NJFSI's lead operating partner. FRAC's playbook of policy advocacy, federal program enrollment, and grantee convening directly shapes NJFSI's operating approach.
- Center for Nutrition & Health Impact: National nutrition research and evaluation nonprofit (formerly Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition) that serves as NJFSI's research and evaluation partner, providing measurement infrastructure for grantees.
Broad incumbents
- Share Our Strength (No Kid Hungry): National anti-hunger campaign focused on ending childhood hunger through federal nutrition program access and school meals. Operates broadly across many states with overlapping goals to NJFSI's child nutrition priorities.
- Feeding America: Largest U.S. hunger-relief organization operating a national network of food banks, including the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (an NJFSI Advisory Committee member). Adjacent but much broader in scope.
- MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger: National anti-hunger advocacy and grantmaking organization funding partner organizations across the U.S. Comparable grantmaking-to-grantee structure but operates nationally rather than state-scoped.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
New Jersey Food Security Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
New Jersey Food Security Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
New Jersey Food Security Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
New Jersey Food Security Initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about New Jersey Food Security Initiative
What does New Jersey Food Security Initiative do?
The New Jersey Food Security Initiative is a three-year (2024-2026) statewide grantmaking and advocacy initiative that distributes foundation funding to community-based organizations, government agencies, and universities to implement food security, nutrition, and health equity programs across New Jersey. The initiative funds a portfolio of grantee projects, county-level programs, nutrition incentives (such as Good Food Bucks), benefits navigation pilots, and Summer EBT implementation efforts. NJFSI itself does not sell products or services; it administers grant awards of $175,000-$225,000 through a competitive Call for Proposals process and supports cross-sector collaboration via an Advisory Committee and Core Partners.
Is New Jersey Food Security Initiative a public or private company?
New Jersey Food Security Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was New Jersey Food Security Initiative founded?
New Jersey Food Security Initiative was founded in 2024.
Where is New Jersey Food Security Initiative based?
New Jersey Food Security Initiative is headquartered in New Jersey, United States, in the North America region.
How does New Jersey Food Security Initiative make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Grants.
Who are New Jersey Food Security Initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wholesome Wave, Hunger Free Vermont, The Food Trust, Hunger Solutions New York and Fair Food Network. Others are Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and Center for Nutrition & Health Impact. Broad incumbents are Share Our Strength (No Kid Hungry), Feeding America and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.
Does New Jersey Food Security Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for New Jersey Food Security Initiative.
What industry is New Jersey Food Security Initiative in?
New Jersey Food Security Initiative's product category is Food Security and Nutrition Grantmaking Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAA, Food Assistance & Food Banks, with a secondary code of BPADAJAL, Nutrition Governance, Policy & Coordination (SUN, National Plans). Its NAICS code is 624210 and its SIC code is 8300.