Why Nutrition Is Central to Hunger Relief
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.