Hunterdon Commissioners Award American Rescue Grant Funds For Food Assistance In County

Hunterdon County’s Board of Commissioners, at the January 18th meeting, approved American Rescue Fund grants for food assistance to America’s Grow A Row for $144,000 and the Flemington Area Food Pantry for $77,851, for infrastructure improvements that will assist in making more fresh food available to those in need in the county.

Board of Commissioners Director John E. Lanza stated, “One of the tenets of the federal American Rescue Fund grant is to provide needed assistance to vulnerable and underserved populations. These grants meet that requirement and will do the most good, for the most people.

Hunger is a significant issue, particularly during the pandemic. And these two programs play a major role in providing vital for food access for vulnerable people here in the county.”

America’s Grow A Row proposes to improve infrastructure at the Franklin Township farm, including an irrigation system and parking lot, and the Flemington Area Food Pantry proposes establishing a storage and distribution annex for expanding the pop-up pantry.

The grant requests were recommended by the County’s Department of Human Services, headed by Director Meagan O’Reilly, and the Board’s American Rescue Fund (ARF) Committee, Commissioners Shaun C. Van Doren and Matt Holt, also reviewed and approved the grants.

Commissioner Holt said at the meeting, “The ARF Committee, in conjunction with the accounting firm the county has contracted with to serve as advisors, has determined that these programs are fully qualified to be supported with a direct American Rescue grant.

It is important to note that neither the Flemington Food Pantry nor America’s Grow A Row sell their food products. They are genuinely non-profits. Both programs, backed by hundreds of volunteers, truly represent the spirit of charitable support for people and the best of Hunterdon County.”

Commissioner Van Doren pointed out, “America’s Grow a Row advises that the grant funds will enable their nonprofit organization to increase the volume of fresh food available to hunger relief agencies across Hunterdon County.

In addition, thanks to expanded operations, America’s Grow a Row will be able to host large scale free farm market events and offer expanded distribution of food through shut-in programs tied to local partner agencies.

The grant funding will go a long way in helping to reduce food insecurity throughout Hunterdon County and the surrounding region thanks to America’s Grow a Row’s relationship with nearly every food pantry throughout the County.”

Lanza added, “The Board extends our appreciation to both the America’s Grow A Row and Flemington Food Pantry for the work they do for those in need in our county.”