NJEDA extends deadline for program to alleviate food deserts

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The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced Nov. 18 the extension of the application deadline for its Food Security Planning Grant Program to Dec. 20.

The $1.5 million program offers grants to municipal and county governments and redevelopment agencies to spur plans to improve food access. The awards – ranging from $75,000 to $125,000 – aim to accomplish that by leveraging distressed assets in New Jersey’s Food Desert Communities (FDCs).

Under the terms of the program, a distressed asset is defined as a commercial building or series of buildings, its attachments, and appurtenances; or vacant land that is fully or partially vacant for at least one year, due to deteriorated conditions or appearance of its exterior.

Last month, the NJEDA hosted information sessions for potential applicants, offering an overview of the program, a walk-through of the application, and information on how to best prepare to apply.

The NJEDA says the program is one tool they are deploying to address the food access issue while transforming distressed assets that have been a hinderance to economic growth.

The application, which the NJEDA says will not be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, can be found here.