Efforts advancing to address college hunger
Last month, Hunger Free New Jersey participated in a panel at the New Jersey Council of County Colleges Vision 2028 gathering, focused on solutions to hunger among college students. The event drew community colleges from across New Jersey. One of the top priorities is the Hunger Free Campus Act, which provides grants to help colleges put in place policies and practices to address hunger, including making SNAP (aka food stamps) available to all eligible students, establishing food pantries and other measures. To follow up, HFNJ is partnering with the council to convene a statewide coalition of community colleges to implement solutions. 
Bill advances to expand free school lunch
A measure that would make school lunch free to more low-income students cleared the Senate Budget Committee last week. A-5855/4200 would provide $4.5 million in state funds to pay the cost of meals served to students who pay a reduced price for those meals.
The legislation, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Sen. Teresa Ruiz, is especially important as the minimum wage rises. This will likely push more families into the reduced-price category, even though they still struggle financially.
12,000 NJ residents could lose SNAP, under rule change
The Trump administration issued a final rule that would take food off the tables of nearly 700,000 people, including an estimated 12,000 New Jersey residents, many of whom struggle to find decent jobs. The change cuts SNAP (aka food stamps) for single adults, ages 18-49, who live in areas with high unemployment and who can't find a job.
"This rule change will surely increase hunger in New Jersey,'' said Adele LaTourette, director, Hunger Free New Jersey. "These folks are among the poorest of the poor and usually ineligible to receive any other government assistance. Often, SNAP is the only help they receive. To deny this basic help to our most vulnerable residents is unconscionable.''
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2nd) announced a resolution to reverse the rule change. We're also working with our national partners to continue this fight. We'll keep you posted. 
View our video This brief video highlights how Hunger Free New Jersey works with partners and decision-makers to address hunger in the Garden State. Check it out!
Changing policy and practice to ensure all New Jerseyans have healthy food, every single day.
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