THE GARDENER STATE: On the road against hunger

• In New Jersey, food insecurity affects 1.15 million people, including 375,000 children
• Since 1996, Farmers Against Hunger has been able to help more than 75 community organizations, and an estimated 7,500 people weekly
• Donations for their new truck purchase campaign are being accepted at www.flipcause.com/ secure/cause_pdetails/NzQ0NA==.

New Jersey farmers grow such an amazing diversity of fresh produce, providing residents with a bounty of choice, flavor, nutrition and enjoyment. Stopping for favorite fruits and vegetables while traveling past roadside stands, shopping at downtown urban farmers markets or grocery stores carrying "Jersey Fresh," and visiting U-Pick farms is a common seasonal activity for many of us.

However, for approximately 16 percent of our population, fresh produce is simply not accessible.

For senior citizens living on fixed limited incomes or who cannot leave their homes, fresh produce may be beyond the budget, or too difficult to travel to buy. For families, once stable but now struggling with bills, meals can be a challenge. For children experiencing food insecurity, many of whom have never tasted a fresh peach or ear of corn, fresh produce has never been a part of the meals they know. Food pantries, soup kitchens, and the state food banks are trying to keep up with the need to support our growing population and seek to increase their distribution of fresh produce as a supplement to the many non-perishable foods which are often lacking nutritional value.

Meanwhile, while agriculture continues to be the state's third largest industry, millions of pounds of fresh produce go unsold in New Jersey, and the opportunity to recover this source of nutritionally valuable food has been recognized by New Jersey farmers for more than 20 years. Farmers Against Hunger began when a small group of farmers came together through the New Jersey Agricultural Society to develop a program which would enable them to efficiently donate their surplus fruits and vegetables to those less fortunate.

Since 1996, Farmers Against Hunger has been able to help more than 75 community organizations, and an estimated 7,500 people weekly, by providing free, surplus fresh produce for distribution to those in need. Today, Farmers Against Hunger delivers over 1.4 million pounds of food annually, and continues to have great potential to expand to meet the growing need. Volunteers join us at farms to engage in the mission by "gleaning" or harvesting surplus crops, helping to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity.

Thousands of community volunteers contribute to the mission by helping to “glean” or harvest at local farms, helping to serve an average of 7,500 people weekly. This is a great way to spend time with family, colleagues, friends, or individually to become a part of this mission. Anyone can join their mailing list to receive updates on gleaning locations and dates by visiting them online at www.njagsociety.org/farmers-against-hunger.html and click on the “Volunteer” Tab. You may also schedule groups of 10 or more by emailing fahvolunteer@gmail.com, and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/farmersagainsthunger/?fref=ts.

FAH delivers weekly to four main sites in Browns Mills, Camden, Trenton, and Mt. Holly and also partners with churches, senior centers, food banks and pantries statewide to efficiently distribute fresh produce. The fresh produce is usually harvested that day and delivered free of charge to the organizations receiving it.

In order to efficiently collect and deliver fresh produce, the program needs reliable transportation. The two trucks which support the program are aging and will be in need of replacement. To date, the organization has raised $45,000 and is seeking to double this by hosting an online donation campaign “On the Road Against Hunger” to raise the additional $45,000 in 45 Days, or by Monday, Aug. 15.

Additionally, Hlubik Farms, of Chesterfield will host its annual “Dinner on the Farm” on Sunday, Sept. 18, to benefit Farmers Against Hunger.

Farmers Against Hunger will also be leading a variety of activities and events during the last week in September as part of the first New Jersey Gleaning Week and Farmers Against Hunger Day, which was passed by the New Jersey legislature this year. The last full week in September each year is designated as “New Jersey Gleaning Week,” in order to promote awareness of food insecurity and food waste, and to encourage residents to participate in gleaning to provide fresh, healthy food to those in need.

To directly donate to their campaign and help them meet or exceed their goal, log on to www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NzQ0NA==. No donation is too small, and if they exceed their goal, funds will be set aside for the next new truck they’ll need.

Tour de Farms

The Burlington County Tour De Farms, to be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 10, also will donate a portion of every registration to Farmers Against Hunger. This annual bike tour, hosted by The South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council and limited to the first 350 registrants, offers three options for riders: a 15-mile route; a 29-mile route; and a 54-mile route.

Stops along the way include a cranberry farm, vegetable farms, u-pick orchards, nurseries, an organic farm, an alpaca farm, and a community supported agriculture farm.

Each participant will receive five Farm Bucks at the time of registration. Farm Bucks may be redeemed at all farm stops on the day of the event only. Detailed registration and route information and rider requirements are all available online at www.sjrcd.org/#!tour-des-farms/cfm2.

The New Jersey Agricultural Society is the oldest agricultural organization of its type in the nation. Established in 1781, its mission as a 501(c) 3 non-profit is dedicated to preserving and enhancing agriculture, farming and related activities and businesses in New Jersey through educational, informational, and promotional programs. New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger (FAH) was started in 1996 by farmers who sought to have their surplus produce go to good use by feeding those in need, and continues to be led by farmers who support the mission.

Nicholas Polanin is associate professor, agricultural agent II, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension of Somerset County. Email him at polanin@njaes.rutgers.edu.