Mayor and HHS Launch 2025 Summer Food Service Program, Providing 4,000 Free Meals to Jersey City Youth During School Break
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Division of Food and Nutrition announce the start of the federally funded, state-administered 2025 Summer Food Service Program, run by Jersey City’s HHS, to provide free, nutritious breakfast and lunch to all Jersey City children ages 18 and under.
"Last year, we served 3,800 children through the HHS program, and this summer, we are looking to serve meals to over 4,000 children who need it most,” says Mayor Fulop. “It’s crucial for all of our youth to have access to healthy meals, which they otherwise receive while in school “Access to healthy food is foundational, since nutrition plays a big part in healthy childhood development.”
According to HHS Department Director, Stacey Flanagan, “no matter where they live or what their circumstances are, the Summer Food Service Program ensures our youth are supported with nutritious meals.”
With meals consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, chicken, turkey, or tuna sandwiches and wraps, the kids also give the program a big thumbs up. One middle schooler at Beloved Charter School commented, “even the packaging was fun and happy, and I got to try humus for the first time ever.”
Offer Cohen, HHS Food and Nutrition Division Director has expanded the number of locations where the program takes place in Jersey City. “We are now servicing 56 different sites, including those at summer camps run by local nonprofit organizations,” says Cohen. “The community takes its role in
supporting our children’s wellbeing seriously and it is our job to help them do that.”
Free, healthy meals are available on a first come-first serve basis from now through August 22 throughout the city with no registration needed. The locations, schedule and menu are on the city website at jcnj.org/nutrition.
For more information, visit: www.fns.usda.gov/summer
USDA Regulations
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national
origin, sex, disability, age, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech
disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD- 3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: [email protected]
All media inquiries should be directed to Kim Wallace-Scalcione at [email protected].