‘Farmers Against Hunger’ Celebrates 30 Years of Delivering Fresh Produce & Food Across the State
 | Current economic trends are hurting both residents and farmers across New Jersey. Today, 1 in 9 New Jerseyans are food insecure; and farmers are facing rising costs, international competition, and unpredictable weather. For 30 years, Farmers Against Hunger has worked with farmers to provide fresh, surplus New Jersey produce to community food banks, churches, and soup kitchens. It all starts with a dedicated network of volunteers. They help harvest excess Jersey tomatoes, peppers, spinach, corn--and much more--that would otherwise be left in the fields. As we go into the summer months, schools will be closing, which will leave children with two less meals per day. And with recent reports from our farm partners across the state, NJ orchards are looking at an 80% loss of product, leaving less opportunity for surplus produce to be shared with our neighbors. That's Why Your Donation Is So Important Now! |
How It All Started
| | In 1996, a small group of New Jersey farmers came together through the New Jersey Agricultural Society with a simple but powerful idea: if good food was going unharvested, it should help feed people. That idea became Farmers Against Hunger. What began as a grassroots effort led by farmers—including some of our original champions like Jim Giamarese—has grown into one of New Jersey’s longest-running farm-to-food-access programs, built on the belief that fresh, locally grown food belongs in our communities. After 30 years, what started with a handful of farmers has grown into a statewide network of growers, volunteers, trucks, packing lines, and community partnerships—all working together to make sure fresh food reaches the people and places that need it most. |
Farmers Against Hunger In 2026
In just the past year alone, Farmers Against Hunger:
- Helped rescue and distribute more than 1.6 million pounds of fresh produce
- Engaged 1,000+ volunteers in the fields and in our communities
- Gleaned 500,000+ pounds of produce directly from New Jersey farms
- Partnered with 65+ New Jersey farms
- Supported 85+ hunger relief partners statewide
- Hosted 88 on-farm gleaning events
- Helped serve 12,000+ New Jersey residents each week
From Farm Fields to Community Tables
| | Farmers Against Hunger works hand-in-hand with food banks, churches, senior centers, schools, community groups, and grassroots organizations across New Jersey to help move fresh, local produce deeper into our communities. It’s all connected: to care for our neighbors, we also have to care for the farmers who feed them. When a growing season is difficult, farmers feel it first. Crop loss, unpredictable weather, and rising costs can leave less produce available to glean, which means less fresh food reaching families in food-scarce areas of our state. That’s why, more recently, Farmers Against Hunger has begun purchasing produce directly from New Jersey farmers when community need is high. Your donation helps support our farm partners while bringing fresh, local food to neighbors who need it most. |
So as we celebrate 30 years, we’re not just honoring the past.
We’re investing in the future.
With your support, we can:
-Rescue surplus crops before they go to waste
-Expand volunteer harvests and community distributions
-Fuel our trucks and maintain equipment
-Purchase fresh produce directly from New Jersey farmers when community need is high
We’re investing in the future.
With your support, we can:
-Rescue surplus crops before they go to waste
-Expand volunteer harvests and community distributions
-Fuel our trucks and maintain equipment
-Purchase fresh produce directly from New Jersey farmers when community need is high
Help Us Feed the Future
Select a giving level — each one helps feed New Jersey families
 | Together We Can Help Make a Lasting Difference! |  |