In New Jersey, nearly 40% of residents live below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, which means they struggle to meet the financial burden of basic necessities for the household and that they do not have a savings or a safety net of any kind.

In Somerset County, a family needs to bring in nearly $100,000 per year in household income to afford minimum necessities. In the region located closest to the food bank, income tract 533, the median household income is just $40,000 per year.

Our primary program, Client Choice, allows Franklin Families to shop for groceries as needed, up to twice per month, in our market. The Franklin Food Bank Market emulates a grocery store and is stocked floor to ceiling with dried, fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods. This mode of food distribution better delivers our mission of serving the food needs of our local community in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.