FJF Initiative. Food Justice is True Justice

Passaic County, NJ, has over 60,000 people struggling with food insecurity as of 2020, highlighting the importance of combatting hunger through the Food Justice Fridge Initiative (FJF). The imbalance between liquor stores, smoke shops, bodegas vs. Whole Foods, Gala Fresh, and nutritious-based grocery stores in inner-city communities vs. the suburbs due to supermarket redlining is staggering. Without proper nutrition, serious health issues such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity are more likley to occur in our people. Not to mention, malnutrition hinders mental/physical development, impacting learning & overall growth potential (especially in our youth). The financial blow many families face after COVID-19 makes it all the more vital for Passaic County families to have access to free, high-quality food that's difficult to obtain in our communities.

Our solution, The Food Justice Fridge Initiative (FJF), aims to empower families affected by poverty, food apartheid, and climate change to lead better lives by providing them with the freedom of choice. To choose the nutritious food they need, but cannot conveniently access. When families begin to shift to a healthier diet, their chances of health related illnesses, high medical bills, and doctor visits decrease. In the same breath, performance in school, sports, and work will increase since families now have access to food that fuels their neurological and physiological productivity rather than depleting or burning it out. This offers an opportunity to save or invest money in other areas such as home renovation, stocks, student debt, vacations, or other financial obligations. The "leave what you can, take what you need" rule is a simple way of showing that our community fridge will support and preserve our people because "we got us!"

By partnering with City Green and Boys and Girls Club Passaic alongside other grassroot organizations like Left Lovers (Freedge), the FJF sources local, fresh, culturally appropriate, and healthy donated produce and offers it to the community for free. Everyone deserves the right to choose fresh produce, and with the support of our community, we can make a significant impact on the well-being of our people. We appreciate anything from a penny to a $20.00.

Donations used to purchase/support:

-refrigerator

-food/restock

-cleaning/maintenance supplies

-security cameras/sensors

-protective shed over fridge

-stipends for maintenance team

-art supplies to decorate fridge