Green Chef and the Food Bank of South Jersey on Wednesday launched their Community Fresh Market, a free farmers market-style event designed to serve individuals and families in need throughout South Jersey.
Twice a month, the farmers market-style event will provide organic, fresh produce, protein and dairy products for those experiencing food insecurity.
Aligned with the food bank’s mission to help provide an immediate solution to hunger by distributing healthy food and teaching individuals to eat nutritiously, the Green Chef Community Fresh Market will offer high-quality produce, protein and dairy products at no cost.
The first Green Chef Community Fresh Market partnership started Wednesday at the Woodbury Junior/Senior High School Pantry (25 N. Broad St., Woodbury). The pantry holds its distributions on the fourth Wednesday each month from 9-11 a.m. Additional markets will be hosted at various locations around South Jersey to provide equitable access for residents. Visit foodbanksj.org to learn more.
“At Green Chef, we are committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work. With inflation continuing to contribute to higher food costs, it’s critical that nutritious and fresh food is accessible to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity,” Adam Kalikow, senior vice president & managing director of meals kits at HelloFresh, said. “We’re grateful to the Food Bank of South Jersey and community volunteers for hosting Community Fresh Markets and helping us connect with our neighbors in need. Our hope is that these farmers markets will provide fresh ingredients to make nourishing meals at home.”
In addition to providing food to the community, the Food Bank of South Jersey also offers cooking classes and nutritional programs to help educate adults and children on ways to utilize these ingredients.
“In South Jersey, 1 in 14 people and 1 in 11 children face food insecurity. That is unacceptable,” Fred Wasiak, CEO and president of the Food Bank of South Jersey, said. “But thanks to longstanding partners like Green Chef, we are able to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors each day. These Community Fresh Markets will have a great impact on food-insecure families, children, seniors and individuals in our region. The Food Bank could not fulfill its mission to strengthen and make sustainable change in our communities without incredible partners like Green Chef.”
“In Logan Township, we are proud to have businesses that are committed to being involved in the community and serving our residents and neighbors,” Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor said. “Green Chef has enthusiastically embraced this commitment, contributing to our Logan Township Food Assistance Program for the last three years and continuing to look for ways to best combat food insecurity locally. We are excited for the launch of their Community Fresh Market collaboration with the Food Bank of South Jersey and the aid it will provide to our community.”
