The County of Somerset Awarded $30,000 Grant to Reduce Food Insecurity, Expand Access to Nutritious Meals for School Children

(For Immediate Release – Somerset County, NJ): The County of Somerset is continuing the fight against food insecurity with a $30,000 grant-funded school meals program. The grant, which was awarded by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA), will support Fueling Futures Somerset County to improve outreach, equity, and access to free and low-cost school meals for students.

“Currently, 4,435 children receive SNAP benefits and 13,688 children receive free or reduced-price meals at schools in Somerset County,” said Commissioner Elizabeth Graner, liaison to the Somerset County Human Services Department. “Our students are the future of Somerset County and their ability to learn, grow, and succeed should not be hindered by food insecurity, or the stigma attached to it. Many families are unaware that they qualify for food assistance and benefit programs. This initiative will bridge the information gap between municipal school districts, residents, and food providers to create a community network that helps ensure no family or child is without food.”

The one-year pilot program will improve network referral systems between schools and food assistance organizations through OFSA’s Building Expanded Access to Nutritious School Meals Program (BEANS). During this trial period, the Somerset County Human Services Department will partner with a community-based agency to offer technical support and training for school districts and their staff members.

“Fueling Futures Somerset County recognizes that hunger is often an invisible barrier to learning,” said Kate Russo, Planning Administrator for the Human Services Department. “By increasing awareness of free and reduced-price school meals, equipping school staff with the knowledge to guide families through the application process, and expanding enrollment among eligible households, this initiative will help ensure that more students have consistent access to nutritious meals.”

The county-wide program will span across 21 municipal school districts to reduce stigma, improve screenings for food insecurity, and streamline access to food resources for families and students.

“For many families, particularly those who may not realize they qualify under New Jersey’s expanded income guidelines, this program will provide critical support, reduce financial strain, and connect students to the nourishment they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom,” said Russo.

To learn more about OFSA, visit: https://nj.gov/foodsecurity/. For more information about food assistance programs offered by Somerset County, visit https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/human-services/food-assistance.

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About Somerset County

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.

About the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate
The New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) is currently the only food security advocacy office in the United States that is placed in the highest level of state government, the Governor’s Office. Under the leadership of the Governor and the Honorable Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, legislation was drafted to establish OFSA with a mandate to coordinate statewide efforts and address unmet needs across the food system. The office began its work toward creating positive outcomes in food security in New Jersey in 2022. OFSA supports state agencies, advances food security policy, creates consensus and collaboration in the philanthropic sector, and advocates for and supports collaborative and community-driven actions and programming in the state. Guided by its legislative mandate, OFSA convened partners across sectors to co-develop and release the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan, an Implementation Planning Toolkit, and a Call for New Jersey Commitments for Food Security, all in 2026, to connect local solutions to systems change. Alongside OFSA’s funding initiatives, public-private partnerships with the philanthropic sector, and first-of-their-kind tools for the field, New Jersey is harnessing the momentum of efforts that may have historically operated in silos and moving everyone forward together. Since OFSA’s creation, New Jersey has received national and international attention for its intentionally broad approach to building lasting food security for current and future generations of New Jerseyans. Learn more about OFSA at NJ.gov/FoodSecurity and follow OFSA on LinkedIn, YouTube or Facebook.

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