Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is linked to a lower risk of many chronic diseases and may help protect against certain types of cancer. For people struggling with food insecurity, finding consistent, affordable sources of fresh food can be a challenge, as many food pantries are unable to secure or store produce.
When people have access to healthy foods, it is easier for them to eat more nutritious meals. Healthier diets lead to better overall health and well-being, and increased productivity and stability in families and communities.
Honorees Creating Greater Access to Healthy Food
Chip Paillex
Chip Paillex and his daughter Kyra
Ending hunger in 22 states through fresh produce
Back in 2002, Chip and his daughter donated leftover produce from their home garden to a local food pantry. That planted the seed for America’s Grow-a-Row, which is now a large-scale operation. America’s Grow-a-Row plants 423 acres of produce across four farm locations in Hunterdon County, which 10,000 volunteers harvest every year. The produce is donated to feeding organizations for distribution around New Jersey and 21 other states. Chip and his team also educate people facing food insecurity by teaching them about healthy eating habits.
Jennifer Papa
Growing and delivering organically farmed herbs and vegetables to urban communities
City Green began as an urban farming and green space program in Passaic County and has blossomed into a multifaceted environmental and agricultural education hub. Since 2011, Jennifer and her team have created numerous programs including Good Food Bucks that empowers SNAP/WIC families to purchase produce at farmers markets and supermarkets around New Jersey, from Sussex to Cape May counties. City Green’s Veggie Mobile delivers fresh produce grown at its farms (which follow organic farming practices) to sites in Clifton, Passaic, and Paterson to increase access to farm-fresh food for residents there. It also supports community gardens.
Jose German-Gomez
Community farming as a means to feed the hungry
Jose founded Northeast Earth Coalition to support the work of community and environmental activists and promote local sustainability and food security. NEEC runs small, all-volunteer community gardens in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties that nourish local residents. NEEC’s Montclair gardens provide fresh produce to soup kitchens, including Toni’s Kitchen. The nonprofit supports small family farms, urban farming projects, community vegetable gardens, and backyard food production and guides municipalities in North Jersey on starting community gardens—all sources that create more access to healthy food for low-income residents. Jose launched and runs NJ’s Little Free Pantry Program; NEEC sponsors several sites around Montclair, stocked with donations from local residents.
