Our Work
The Franklin Food Bank works to increase food security by providing dignified access to nutritious food and supportive services. Through our choice pantry, community distributions, and partnerships, we help neighbors meet immediate needs while building long-term stability.
Map The Meal Gap Somerset County
Food Security
Food security means having consistent, reliable access to enough nutritious food to live an active, healthy life. When food security is threatened, individuals and families face uncertainty that affects physical health, mental well-being, and economic stability, often forcing difficult choices between food, housing, healthcare, and other basic needs.
Over time, lack of food security can impact children’s development, adults’ ability to work, and the overall strength of a community.
The Regional Reality
Food insecurity has been on the rise in Somerset County since the pandemic. Between 2023 - 2024, the county saw an alarming 14% increase in food insecurity alone.
In NJ District 12, the rate rose from 9.7% to 10.8% in just one year.
The Equity Gap
Unequal Distribution: Hunger is not a random occurrence. Due to systemic barriers, Black and Brown households are significantly more likely to experience food insecurity than their white neighbors.
The 45-Point Gap: Nationally, the disparity is staggering. In some counties, Black families are twice as likely to experience food insecurity as their white neighbors.
Geography is Destiny: These gaps are not accidental; they are the direct result of historical underinvestment and structural racism targeted at specific ZIP codes.
The Food is Medicine (FIM) Shift
Treating nutrition as a clinical intervention.
FIM Programs are generally offered in three categories and levels of intensity.
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
Health is determined by where you live, work, and eat.
Food security is a core pillar of the CDC’s SDOH framework. Without stable nutrition, efforts in education and employment often fail.
Ineligibility
A massive portion of the "hungry" do not qualify for government aid.
From Food Security to Nutrition Security
Access to "protective foods" (produce, lean protein) prevents chronic disease. Leading Mind: Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian (Tufts), who advocates for policy shifts toward quality-based nutrition to fix the U.S. healthcare crisis.
Did You Know?
Nearly half of all the food distributed by the Franklin Food Bank is fresh produce.