There are 50 food desert communities in all 21 counties of New Jersey, affecting upwards of 1.3 million residents.*
Food deserts are areas that have no supermarkets, and where there is poor public transit, low internet use, and high poverty rates. In rural areas, proximity to a grocery store means living less than 10 miles away and in suburban and urban areas, less than one mile. The lack of good nutrition in food deserts causes fatigue and low energy, and can impair physical and mental development, cause wounds to heal more slowly, lead to higher risk of bone fractures, impair the immune system, and many with lasting effects on body and mind.
*NJEDA, 2022
Making a Difference Honorees Working to Combat Food Deserts
Kathleen Di Chiara
A pioneer in fighting hunger through the food bank movement
In response to the systemic hunger issue in NJ and seeing the need for more local food pantries to support food insecure residents in their towns, Kathleen began her journey in the food bank movement by distributing food to people in need through her church community. An early pioneer of supplying local NJ food pantries through a centralized system, Kathleen’s vision became CFBNJ, the largest anti-hunger organization in the state. CFBNJ supplies food to hundreds of local pantries and food distribution organizations throughout the state, filling crucial gaps in nutrition for residents in food deserts. Kathleen passed away in October 2024, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight against hunger in New Jersey.
Maria Torres
Ensuring hungry neighbors in need always have access to healthy food
Maria was recognized as a Making a Difference Honoree for her courageous commitment to keep this community food pantry operating during the height of COVID, despite a serious medical diagnosis that put her health at risk. Undeterred, as the pantry’s manager, she knew how much (and how many) people depended on the monthly food boxes Champion House provides from its Newark location. Part of the United Community Corporation, Champion House maintains community refrigerators in five locations in Newark and Maplewood to ensure access to nutritious food is always available; it also distributes clothing and baby items.
Sister Jacinta Fernandes and Jerry Maziarz
Creating greater food security with compassion for Elizabeth residents
From the late 1960s when she first organized food and clothing distribution in Elizabeth, to 2017 when she retired, Sister Jacinta was a pillar of what became St. Joseph Social Service Center in 1986. The Center serves vulnerable and food-insecure residents and homeless individuals, closing the food desert gap with weekly food distribution and a Saturday hot meal program from its location. Its multi-faceted services include an Adult Learning Center that provides ESL and job readiness classes, a community health outreach, and counseling services.
For over 20 years, Jerry has been an integral, compassionate volunteer, showing up every day after his night shift to assist staff and clients. He was recognized with the Making a Difference Award in 2021 for his exceptional commitment to securing food so the pantry was stocked during the COVID pandemic.
Seigha and Shenee Omuso
Innovators and opportunity creators in the grocery store space
Villages Community Marketplace in Burlington is New Jersey’s first nonprofit grocery store. Powered by The Opportunity League (The O League), which was founded by the Omusos, the grocery store—a “community nutrition center”—is the couple’s next step in improving communities by combating an underserved neighborhood’s food desert and lack of local supermarkets. It operates a farmers’ market on Sundays and hosts other community-enhancing activities. In addition to the grocery story, plans include a restaurant focused on healthy foods, a juice bar, pop-up shops and a community garden.
