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Black Bean Brownies

Course Dessert

Servings 16

Calories 90kcal

Ingredients

• 2 15 ounce can black beans​
• 6 large eggs​
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil​
• 1½ cups brown sugar​
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder​
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract​
• 1 cup flour or gluten-free flour mix​
• 1 teaspoon baking powder​
• Pinch salt​
• 1½ cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips divided​

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly oil or coat baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. ​
• Place the black beans (including the liquid) in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. ​
• Add the eggs, oil, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. ​
• As you process the ingredients, stop the machine a couple of times to scrape the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. ​
• Slowly add the flour until blended. ​
• Add 1 cup of the chips and pulse a few times until the chips are incorporated. Process everything until it is smooth.​
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula, and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of the chocolate chips.​
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. ​
• Cool in the pan before slicing into 2-inch squares.​

Nutrition

Serving: 25g | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 35mg | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 20mg

The post Black Bean Brownies appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

A reflection as National Nutrition Month comes to a close

When most people think about a food bank, they picture boxes of canned goods and shelf-stable staples. And yes, that food matters enormously. It fills gaps and keeps families going. But at the Food Bank of South Jersey, we know that what’s in the box, and how that food is used, matters too. Today is the last day of National Nutrition Month, so let’s talk about the connection between hunger and poor nutrition.

Food Security and Health

When families are stretched thin – choosing between groceries and rent, between gas and a utility bill – fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains are usually the first things to go. Processed foods are more affordable and accessible, but a diet built entirely around them can contribute to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health issues over time.

Access to healthy food isn’t equally distributed. Grocery stores with fresh produce are often harder to find – and to afford – in the communities where food insecurity rates are highest. That gap isn’t a coincidence. It’s a structural challenge and addressing it is part of what drives our work.

When we distribute more than 7 million pounds of produce in a year – including nearly 1.9 million pounds grown right here in New Jersey – we’re not just checking a box. We’re working to close a gap that has real consequences for real people.

Nutrition Equity

Over the past 40 years, FBSJ has grown our programming with nutrition equity in mind. In 2025 alone, we offered 617 health and wellness programs, reaching 15,757 participants. These programs help neighbors of all ages build the knowledge and skills to eat well and live healthier, through family cooking classes and cultural heritage programs to chronic disease prevention courses and youth leadership initiatives. Participants leave with practical tools to build healthier habits and take those skills home to their families and communities.

Our new Center for Health, Wellness & Nutrition (CHWN) is the next step of that commitment. A space where neighbors can access education, wellness resources, and support that helps them make the most of what they have.

And our work doesn’t stop there either.

Our Kids Thrive 365 and Senior Nutrition Resource Supplement programs also recognize that nutritional needs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Children need consistent, balanced meals to grow and learn. Older adults face unique health challenges that make access to healthy food even more critical. Through our Growing Healthy Pantries initiative, we work with partner agencies to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables at distribution sites across the region. And partnerships with local farms and produce cooperatives connect neighbors with foods that are fresh, local, and nutrient-rich.

Thank You for Nourishing Our Neighbors

As National Nutrition Month wraps up, we want to thank everyone who makes this work possible: our donors, our volunteers, our agency network, and our community partners. You don’t just help us feed people. You help us nourish them.

The post Why Nutrition Is Central to Hunger Relief appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

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When we share our year-end numbers, they’re big. They should be – they represent our entire region coming together.

But numbers alone don’t always tell the full story.

Here’s what your support made possible in 2025 and what those figures really mean for South Jersey.

20,692,235 Meals Distributed

That’s more than 20 million moments when someone didn’t have to wonder where their next meal would come from.

A “meal” is a standardized measurement used across food banking to reflect the amount of goods distributed. Behind that number are pantry visits, essential care items, mobile distributions, senior boxes, Summer Meals, and groceries delivered through agency partners.

It’s also a reflection of scale – the infrastructure, partnerships, trucks, warehouses, and volunteers it takes to move food across four counties every single day.

Approximately 189,000 Neighbors Served Each Month

This isn’t a one-time snapshot. It’s a monthly reality.

Serving nearly 189,000 neighbors each month means families are returning because the need is ongoing. It means seniors on fixed incomes, working parents balancing rising costs, and households navigating unexpected challenges are relying on consistent support.

It also means our network of local partners – pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and community organizations – continues to be strong, trusted, and deeply rooted in their neighborhoods.

7,016,935 Pounds of Fresh Produce Provided

Fresh food matters. Fruits and vegetables support long-term health, prevent chronic disease, and help families prepare balanced meals at home.

Which is why our team places so much focus on sourcing, storing, and distributing fresh produce.

More than 7 million pounds of produce moved through our system last year, including 1,893,964 pounds grown right here in New Jersey. That local sourcing is a direct investment in NJ farmers and the regional food system, keeping dollars in the community while moving fresh, locally grown food to neighbors who need it most.

It takes a lot of coordination and investment. But we are committed to feeding people and nourishing communities.

15,757 Health & Wellness Participants
Across 617 Classes and Workshops

Food access is only part of the equation.

Through nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, chronic disease prevention programs, and other health-focused initiatives, more than 15,000 participants engaged in classes designed to build knowledge and confidence.

These programs help families stretch their groceries, prepare nutritious meals, and make informed choices, ultimately strengthening health outcomes across the region.

3,971 Volunteers
11,913 Hours of Service

Every box packed. Every truck unloaded. Every distribution supported.

Nearly 4,000 volunteers gave their time in 2025, contributing close to 12,000 hours of service. That’s the equivalent of years of full-time work dedicated to neighbors they may never meet.

Volunteers are part of the reason we can respond quickly, scale effectively, and keep operations moving.

More Than Numbers

Impact numbers matter. They help us measure progress, identify gaps, and plan for the future.

But they are ultimately about people: families supported, seniors served, children with reliable access to meals, and communities strengthened through consistent access to nourishing food.

For 40 years, being “of South Jersey” has meant responding to local needs with local solutions. It means adapting when circumstances shift and staying grounded in partnership.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: continue listening, continue learning, and continue building a food system that serves our region with care, consistency, and accountability.

Thank you for being part of what makes this work possible.

The post Impact Numbers Explained: What 2025 Really Looked Like appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

Want to make a real difference for families across South Jersey? There are plenty of easy ways to jump in.

A simple onetime gift goes a long way, but you can also become a monthly donor to provide steady support we can count on.

Many people don’t realize their employer might match their donation, doubling the impact without spending an extra dollar.

Or, if you prefer giving through a donor advised fund or donating appreciated securities, those options are also available and can sometimes stretch your generosity further.

Feeling social? You can start a Virtual Food Drive fundraiser and rally your friends and family around a cause that matters.

For long-term impact, planned giving and bequests help ensure future generations have access to meals and hope.

And yes, even cryptocurrency donations are welcome.

No matter how you choose to give, every contribution helps provide meals to neighbors who need them most. For more information on ways to give, visit foodbanksj.org/donatemoney.

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The post MANY WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

Students across South Jersey made a powerful impact through this year’s Students Change Hunger initiative. Timothy Christian Academy led the way with 1,759 pounds collected, followed by Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School (1,423 pounds) and Octavius V. Catto Family School (1,200 pounds). Collectively, these schools contributed 72% of all food donations made by Students Change Hunger participants.

We thank all participating schools for their compassion and engagement during a challenging year. Special recognition to Fleetwood School for hosting the most engagement activities,
and to Delair and Fine schools in the Pennsauken School District for supporting families during the government shutdown and SNAP benefits delay.

Their efforts are a powerful reminder that students are helping lead the fight against hunger in South Jersey.

To learn more about Students Change Hunger, visit foodbanksj.org/studentschangehunger

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The post YOUNG LEADERS, BIG IMPACT: STUDENTS CHANGE HUNGER 2025 appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Food Bank of South Jersey, we asked our employees, volunteers, and community partners to tell us: What does it mean to you to be ‘of South Jersey’?

“It means being in a community where people care about each other. It means having a food bank that serves the South Jersey community with compassion and dignity.” – Lavinia A, FBSJ employee

“I take pride in being ‘of South Jersey. Being an educator of the youth here is the best thing I’ve done with my life.” – Antonio C, community partner

“It’s about being part of a community. Volunteering is not just about giving your time and effort; it’s about weaving the fabric of our communities with threads of compassion and dedication.” – Donna F, volunteer

“I live in SJ, raise my family in SJ and I work in SJ. The work I do helps my neighbors.” – Tricia Y, FBSJ employee

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The post 40 YEARS FORWARD: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ‘OF SOUTH JERSEY’ appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.

2025 asked a lot of our organization and our community.

Like many nonprofits, the Food Bank of South Jersey navigated change, uncertainty, and moments that required us to adapt quickly and thoughtfully. What carried us forward was the same thing that has sustained this work for 40 years: our partners, our supporters, and a shared commitment to South Jersey.

Because of your support, neighbors across our region had access to food and resources when they needed them most.

• 20,692,235 meals distributed
• Approximately 189,000 neighbors served each month
• 7,016,935 pounds of fresh produce provided
• 15,757 Health & Wellness program participants across 617 classes and workshops
• 3,971 volunteers engaged, contributing 11,913 hours

These are more than numbers. They represent families supported, seniors served, and communities strengthened through consistent access to nourishing food.

For 40 years, being of South Jersey has meant more than geography. It means listening to our neighbors, responding to local needs, and growing alongside the communities we serve. And even as the region changes, that commitment remains the same.

Together, we continue to respond to the need, strengthen programs, and lay the groundwork for what comes next. As we move into the year ahead, our focus remains clear: listening, learning, and building on the progress we’ve made, with the community at the center of everything we do.

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The post YEAR-IN-REVIEW: WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MADE POSSIBLE appeared first on The Food Bank of South Jersey.