THE CAMDEN FOOD SECURITY COLLECTIVE
A Brief History and Background
Foundation and Early Development
The Camden Food Security Collective emerged from a decade of foundational work led by the Campbell Soup Company through the Campbell’s Healthy Communities program. This initial phase established a network of community-based organizations focused on addressing food access issues in Camden through direct services, including nutrition education, food assistance programs, and wraparound social services.
Key early initiatives included:
- The Food Trust’s technical assistance to over 40 corner stores to become “Healthy Corner Stores”
- Partnerships with Parkside Business & Community in Partnership (PBCIP) to develop local produce growers for food prescription programs at Virtua Hospital
- Cathedral Kitchen’s culinary training programs while serving homeless populations
Critical Assessment and Strategic Pivot
In February 2019, the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers initiated a pivotal moment in the collective’s evolution by convening executives from seven food access organizations to examine persistent food insecurity challenges. This collaborative inquiry was prompted by sobering data: 37% of Camden City residents screened in 2020 reported food insecurity concerns.
The conclusion reached was transformative—food insecurity persisted not due to lack of direct services, but because of unaddressed affordability issues and the impacts of structural racism.
Formation of the Camden Food Security Collective
Building on this insight, the Camden Coalition and the Food Bank of South Jersey launched the Camden Food Security Collective as a coordinated community initiative. The collective adopted the Collective Impact Framework, marking a strategic evolution from direct service provision to addressing upstream causes of food insecurity.
Strategic Framework and Vision
Working closely with community partners, the collective developed a common agenda for all participants that established three strategic pillars:
- Transforming Food Access – Strengthening supplemental food networks and supporting businesses providing equitable access to healthy food
- Co-locating Community Resources – Establishing neighborhood-centric community hubs to reduce transportation barriers
- Increasing Residents’ Financial Security – Focusing on workforce development, public benefits access, and affordable housing advocacy
This evolution represents a shift from addressing symptoms to tackling root causes, demonstrating the collective’s commitment to creating “true, lasting, and meaningful change” through collaborative, equity-centered approaches.
Camden County Government Participation
Led by Camden County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, The Camden County Board of Commissioners held a conference in November 2024 on food insecurity. The event focused on food access, nutrition education and the need for wrap-around services.
In 2025 Camden County government agencies developed a strategic approach that would increase the focus on food security through its intergovernmental task force. The County also established its own resource page on food insecurity to provide information for neighbors seeking help.
Working with the Food Bank of South Jersey, the County is developing an initiative where government agencies will visit food distribution locations to provide direct access to needed services.