Nutley Farmers Market, Community Garden Support NFSB Food Pantry in Tackling Food Insecurity

From the Township of Nutley:

Nutley, NJ, — The Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) Food Pantry provides qualifying Nutley residents with groceries to help ensure that those in need have access to nutritious meals in regularly scheduled distributions. In addition to non-perishable staples and proteins, the NFSB Food Pantry also strives to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to participants.

Each week at the Nutley Farmers Market, patrons are invited to donate non-perishable items and/or money to support the NFSB Food Pantry. Every other week aligning with bi-weekly grocery pickup by Pantry participants, donations of Market produce are also welcome. Upcoming dates during the Nutley Farmers Market season include July 31, August 14, August 28, September 11, September 25, October 9, and October 23. The Market runs 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays through October 30 in Municipal Parking Lot #1 (William Street on the east side of Franklin Avenue).

On August 14, NFSB Executive Director Eileen Painter will lead a Market Walk & Talk, a weekly walk and learn group in which participants can ask the walk leader questions within his or her area of expertise during the course of a scenic 3-mile loop that leaves from the Market at 8:30 a.m. NFSB will also spend the day at the Nutley Farmers Market to share information about their mission and accept donations of fresh and non-perishable foods. In addition to the Food Pantry, the NFSB provides affordable mental health counseling and social service programs to strengthen the emotional and social well-being of individuals and families in Nutley and surrounding northern New Jersey communities.

Continuing the theme of access to healthy foods for all, August 14 (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) is also the day that qualifying seniors age 60+ can pick up their Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers. Seniors should bring proof of age, residency, and income (maximum of $1,832 monthly) to receive their $20 in vouchers that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers.

The Nutley Community Garden’s “Grow a Row” program is another source of fresh, local produce donated to the NFSB Food Pantry. Located behind Amvets Post 30, the Garden includes 21 planting beds. Participating residents and organizations plant their own plots and donate at least one row of produce to the NFSB Food Pantry as well as to the Vincent United Methodist Church Care Kitchen (100 Vincent Place, Nutley), which provides meals to individuals, families, and seniors three Saturdays each month.

On August 24 at 6:00 p.m., NFSB Food Pantry (169 Chestnut Street, Nutley) will host a meal-planning workshop led by Shop Rite dietitians who will demonstrate easy ways to boost the flavor and nutrition in cost-effective family meals. To attend, RSVP at the NFSB Food Pantry or NFSB main office (155 Chestnut Street, Nutley), or by calling 973-667-1884.

Besides weekly collection at the Nutley Farmers Market, food donations can always be dropped off at the NFSB Food Pantry, 169 Chestnut Street, during open hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays or 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Donations can also be dropped off at the NFSB main office, 155 Chestnut Street, during business hours.

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