The New Jersey Healthy Kids Initiative (NJHKI) and Hunger Free New Jersey co-hosted a congressional conversation on hunger in New Jersey, May 29th, at the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, & Health on Rutgers University’s Cook campus. Many state and federal officials, emergency food providers and advocates gathered to discuss ways to reduce hunger and ensure all New Jersey residents have healthy food to eat.

The session was moderated by celebrity chef and anti-hunger activist Tom Colicchio. United States Representatives Frank Pallone and John Gottheimer, and New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin joined the conversation.

The New Jersey Healthy Kids Initiative (NJHKI) and Hunger Free New Jersey co-hosted a congressional conversation on hunger in New Jersey, May 29th, at the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, & Health on Rutgers University’s Cook campus. Many state and federal officials, emergency food providers and advocates gathered to discuss ways to reduce hunger and ensure all New Jersey residents have healthy food to eat.

The session was moderated by celebrity chef and anti-hunger activist Tom Colicchio. United States Representatives Frank Pallone and John Gottheimer as well as New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin joined the conversation.

“Hunger knows no stripes,’’ Coughlin said. “It just knows people. That’s the message that Congress needs to hear.’’

New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner, Carole Johnson, shared the most recent steps the department has taken to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits to 27,000 New Jersey residents and boost SNAP participation among college students.

New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher outlined child nutrition programs like the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service programs as important tools in the fight against hunger.

Kim Guadagno, president & CEO, Fulfill, Carlos Rodriguez, president & CEO, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Fred Wasiak, president & CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey all detailed the hunger they see every day in New Jersey and noted that without strong federal food aid programs, they would never be able to keep pace with the need.

Megan, a SNAP recipient, described the value of the SNAP assistance she received. “There is no way I could feed my children without SNAP and school meals,’’ she said. “We aren’t lazy or looking for an easy way out. We’re starting over from ground zero and just need some help to get back on our feet.’’

A special thank you to Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Science Dean Robert Goodman for his opening remarks, and to Adele Latourette and Ellen Teller from Hunger Free New Jersey and the Food Research & Action Center, respectively, for their partnership.