Bergen County is one of the most socio-economically diverse areas in New Jersey, yet issues like unemployment, housing instability, and hunger persist. According to Feeding America, food insecurity rose by 71% in 2020, affecting 103,000 individuals—or 1 in 9 residents—with 30% of those affected being children, highlighting a severe impact on young, developing minds. Over 21,300 children in Bergen County face food insecurity, and 44% are not eligible for federal nutrition programs, leaving a significant gap in support. This crisis demands community-driven solutions to ensure every child has access to nutritious food.

Hunger stems from multiple factors, including the inability to afford healthy, nutritious food, but it is also worsened by food waste, which continues to rise in Bergen County. The Bergen County District Solid Waste Management Plan reported that food waste in landfills increased from 15% in 2003 to over 20% in 2016, a trend exacerbated by the pandemic. The UN Environment Programme estimates that 40% of food waste comes from grocery stores, restaurants, and food service companies, with 84.3% of unused food discarded and only 1.4% donated. As the largest hub for food service providers in New Jersey—with 137 locations—Bergen County has immense potential for redistributing surplus food to reduce hunger.