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Food & Nutrition

Government Programs that May Help

Download this PDF In English In Spanish

You may be eligible for Food Assistance. If your family income is low, you may be eligible for NJ SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps.) This will enable you to buy healthy food from many stores. Food assistance is available to households of all descriptions, including families, couples without children, individuals, seniors, disabled persons, legal immigrants and victims of family violence. Eligibility depends on several factors like income, household size, resources, etc.

See income guidelines for NJ SNAP.

Pilot Program Enables Use of Food Stamps at Farmers' Markets
You can now use your Family First Card to buy nutritious produce at participating farmers’ markets throughout the state.  Many farmers’ markets were not able to accept the card until recently because they didn’t have access to the electricity or telephone line needed to process transactions online.  The pilot program, launched in August 2009, provides farmers with the wireless equipment they need to process these transactions.  The farmers will be able to use this equipment at the various farmers’ markets around the state where they sell their produce. Find a Farmer’s Market near you.

You can apply for Food Stamps online or go to your local Board of Social Services. To apply online, click here. For more information call 1-800-687-9512.

You may be eligible for NJ WIC

NJ WIC is a program that is designed to provide funds for the purchase of healthy food to low-income women, who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding infants; and their other children up to age 5.

If you are:

• Pregnant (up to six weeks after delivery)
• Postpartum (up to six months after delivery)
• Breastfeeding (up to one year if you continue breastfeeding)
• An infant
• A child under five years old

AND

• You have a nutrition or medically related health risk
• Live in New Jersey (proof of residency required)
• Meet income guidelines (proof of income required)

Check WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines to see if your family qualifies for benefits and services.

WIC Offers More than Just Food

The benefits and services available through this program go beyond the WIC checks you will receive to purchase nutritious food at the grocery store. If you are eligible, you will also receive:

• Nutrition education and counseling
• Breastfeeding education and support
• Immunization screening and referrals
• Referrals for free or reduced cost health care
• Referrals to health or social services for:
  • Medicaid
  • Food stamps
  • Family care (health care)
  • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

When you go to apply for WIC you should bring the following documentation with you:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of pregnancy
• Proof of income
• Proof of residency
• Your Healthcare Referral Form (if completed by your health care provider)
• Your child's Universal Child Health Record (if completed by your health care provider)
• Your child's vaccination record

** The adult and all child applicants must be present at the appointment.

Local Resources for Specialized Groups

Fresh Food Resources in the Garden State

Our state is filled with roadside markets and community farmers markets that sell fresh produce and offer opportunities to pick-your-own fruits and vegetables. Learn all about them here.

Farmers' Markets that accept food stamps are listed here.

Food programs for school age children

Healthy food is available free or at low-cost to school children and summer food programs are available in some areas. To find out if your school offers breakfast or lunch programs like this, contact your local school district and ask to speak with someone about nutrition programs that are available through the school.

Food programs for elderly New Jersey residents

Many senior clubs and centers offer food programs. The County Offices on Aging provide meals in group settings at locations in each county. They also deliver meals to homebound individuals. These programs are provided to persons age 62 or older without regard to income.

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens

Food Pantries are located throughout the state. They provide food to low income residents. This food is picked up by residents at the local pantry and is consumed at home.

Soup Kitchens receive donated food and provide prepared meals for people with low income.

To find the food pantry or soup kitchen closest to your home dial 2-1-1 and speak with one of our resource specialists or search the 2-1-1 database.

Individual food pantries and soup kitchens have specific days and hours when they are open. They don’t always have food available. You should always call the food pantry or soup kitchen to find out when they are open and if they have food before you go. Most pantries offer a 3-5 day supply of healthy food for your family. When possible, pantries provide special items for those family members on restricted diets.

Most pantries will require some form of identification such as a Social Security card, Public Assistance or picture I.D. Many also require a referral letter from a social service agency such as the welfare or food stamp office, a community organization, or your place of worship to show proof of your need for food assistance.

Pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 when you need help.
You are encouraged to dial “2-1-1” 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need help in understanding and finding available assistance services.  Language translation and TTY services are offered to any caller.  You can also search the database of services in your local community or Chat Live with an experienced community resource specialist. 2-1-1 will help identify with you the best local resources to fit your individual needs during times of financial distress or for life’s everyday situations.

If you know of additional resources that would be appropriate to include, please let us know by contacting us via e-mail at info@nj211.org.

Research Sources Include:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/wic/proginfo.shtml
http://www.state.nj.us/health/senior/sa_aaa.shtml
http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/foodstamp.html
http://www.endhungernj.org/

Page last modified 11.29.11