June 12, 2024

South Jersey Forward Releases Report on Food Insecurity in Atlantic City

(POMONA) South Jersey Forward, a nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization, today released its latest report on food insecurity in Atlantic City titled “Nourishing Communities: Strategies to Address Food Insecurity in Atlantic City.”

"Atlantic City has faced significant challenges in bringing a major supermarket into the community," said South Jersey Forward founder Mike Suleiman. "Instead of pursuing unrealistic solutions, our report highlights innovative, community-focused strategies to combat food insecurity. It's time for policymakers to prioritize practical, neighborhood-specific initiatives over grandiose, one-size-fits-all projects."

The report’s recommendations include:

- Creation of “edible landscapes” in publicly-owned spaces that would provide food for residents and beautify the city.

- Creation of a $5 million food innovation fund to support neighborhood co-ops and supermarket alternatives that are specifically tailored to each neighborhood.

- A robust marketing campaign to address the stigma that is unfairly placed on supermarket alternatives.

“Our research shows that community-driven solutions have the potential to make a significant impact,” said Suleiman. “By leveraging local resources and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we can create a sustainable food ecosystem that ensures all residents have access to nutritious food.”

South Jersey Forward wanted to commend the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, the local nonprofit C.R.O.P.S., and the Pleasantville-based Ideal Institute of Technology for their recent efforts on food insecurity in Atlantic City, which helped guide the formation of this report.