Our Mission and Our Approach
We strive to bring food security to all New Jersey residents, in a trauma-informed manner.
The mission of The Food Brigade is to ensure that no child or adult in New Jersey goes hungry, and to establish food security for our neighbors facing poverty and systemic inequalities.
We accomplish our mission by (1) providing direct food assistance through our network of client-choice Community Markets, and (2) implementing a holistic approach which includes the offering of wraparound services to address the root causes of food insecurity.
The Food Brigade Experience
Our guests shop in comfort and safety in a stress-free environment
Different from "traditional" food pantries, we operate free client-choice Community Markets in a grocery store setting, to bring the greatest level of dignity and respect to the food assistance process.
INTRODUCTION TO THE FOOD BRIGADEThe Food Brigade operates free "Community Markets" for New Jersey residents dealing with food insecurity. As of 2025, we currently have market locations in Bergen County (Dumont), Hudson County (Union City), and Passaic County (Clifton). By employing a grocery store style environment in our Community Markets, with our guests shopping by appointment to avoid long lines and waiting times, we strive to bring the greatest level of dignity and respect to the food receiving process.The Food Brigade is a proud Partner Agency of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the largest food bank in the State. We are an approved Local Distribution Agency (LDA) of USDA food through TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), and New Jersey Department of Agriculture food through the SFPP (State Food Purchase Program).We have been awarded the PLATINUM Seal of Transparency from Candid / GuideStar for 2023, 2024, and 2025.We have been named "Best Nonprofit Organization" of 2023, 2024, and 2025 by 201 Magazine in their annual Community's Choice Awards.Charity Navigator has given us a score of 100% for "Culture & Community" (an assessment of our culture and connectedness to the community we serve) and 100% for "Leadership & Adaptability" (an assessment of our leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve our mission). |
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
The Food Brigade is fortunate to be supported by a number of local, national, and international corporations and organizations, including:
In the Words of Our Recipients, Partners, & Donors
THIS IS OUR "WHY" (swipe left to scroll)
"The Food Brigade has been a very big help for me and my two kids. It’s been a very hard two years financially, and very hard providing my kids enough food to eat. Since The Food Brigade, my kids and I have been able to have enough food, and nutritious food, to eat. I'm able to sleep at night because I know every week my kids will have enough food to eat."
N.Z.
Mother in Saddle Brook
"The Food Brigade comes to my home every week, and everyone is so nice. I’m a disabled senior citizen, on a fixed monthly income. My disability check pays for rent, electricity, phone, and other bills, and I have very little money left for food. The Food Brigade is an important part of my life."
G.M.
Disabled senior in Tenafly
"My children and I receive food from The Food Brigade every Wednesday. This help has kept food on the table for my children to eat every week. My youngest child has autism and it’s hard for me to find a flexible job since my child always needs me."
A.J.
Mother in Garfield
"I am writing on behalf of a veteran in Maywood. He is a proud man who refuses to accept any help. He either pays his bills and rent, or gets behind on his bills so he can purchase food. I reached out to the Food Brigade and explained his situation, and with them this proud American is now able to eat and pay his bills."
M.J.
Veteran in Maywood
"I am a single mom, and The Food Brigade has helped me so much. I struggle to work full time due to limited ability to babysit my child. My main priority is keeping my child fed and clean. The Food Brigade had helped me with groceries when I cannot afford them, and diapers for my infant. I am very grateful for their assistance for myself and many others."
C.Y.
Single mother in Passaic
"I live in a four person household where I am the only working parent. We are living paycheck to paycheck right now. My husband was injured during work and lost his job because of it. We have two small children, one with a speech impairment where we have to set time aside for him to get speech therapy for four hours a weeks. I have to work at night only, because I have a 5 month old that needs me at home because I can’t afford her to be in daycare. The Food Brigade helps my family with hot meals, diapers, and canned goods."
B.V.
Family with special needs child in Teaneck
"I am a retired disabled grandma raising four children due to the circumstances of life. The Food Brigade organization provides my family weekly food supply that assists my family and other family in need."
R.M.
Custodial grandmother in Teaneck
"I am housebound and not able to go to the market. The kind people of this organization have brought me food for many months. Receiving the dinners and bag of produce has been an answer to prayers. I am so blessed to have this food assistance."
K.J.
Homebound recipient in Elmwood Park
"The Food Brigade has helped me and my family tremendously. When me and my wife both lost our jobs, with children to raise, The Food Brigade was our number one supporter and continues to support my family now that I am the only one working and going to school."
L.F.
Family in Maywood
"My husband is going blind and cannot work. He was been denied disability and I support my family on my salary. Times are tough and we count on the weekly help from The Food Brigade. Food costs, gas and daily living is on a rise and buying groceries each week is becoming way too expensive for my family. If we do not receive food weekly from The Food Brigade, I will not have enough money to buy enough food to feed my family. Their help to my family is such a financial relief and they help us out more than you could ever imagine."
M.S.
Family in Oradell
"I just want to say I am overwhelmed. What you are all doing is just amazing. The box is so fantastic and it made my heart cry with joy."
N.R.
Mother of school children in Bergen County
"I was teared up the entire time going through the line for box pick up. It is truly a blessed thing to see so many people pulling together. Just AMAZING."
R.D.
Bergen County mother
"I'm calling you regarding the food which you delivered yesterday to my house. I'm just calling you to tell you thank you, and to express my gratefulness towards what you did for my family."
N.T.
Bergen County mother
"Thank you so much. I just came home and opened the box - it's overwhelmingly generous. Thank you to all the staff."
K.H.
Resident of Bergen County
"Just a shout out...I haven't had my unemployment check in 20 weeks. Thanks to you guys, I had a delicious dinner. I have been borrowing money from my sister but you guys have taken a load off my mind. THANK YOU, THANK YOU."
M.A.
Bergen County resident
"I am a single mom and me and my son appreciate your benevolence. It saves us money to pay our other needs ever since we became recipient of the food and grocery that you shared to the needy."
J.S.
Single mother in Bergen County
"Thank you for delivering our wonderful dinners. You are awesome and I hope you know the depth of appreciation I have for what you do."
P.C.
Mother in Bergen County
"My mom lives in Rockland County in Section Eight housing. She is on an extremely limited budget. The food you gave her made her happy and really helped stretch her dollars."
Anon.
Family member in Rockland County
"I wanted to thank you guys so much through my hard time with my family. I finally found a job. I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart."
R.S.
Resident of Bergen County
"Very grateful for all the help and donation you have done to thousands of families in the Kearny and Harrison area."
PCANJ (Hudson County)
Peruvian Civic Ass'n of New Jersey in Kearny
"We cannot thank you enough for your support of our center. Your weekly donations of cases of fresh food, including dairy products, juices, fruits, vegetables, meats, and frozen foods has eased food insecurity within our community. Your donation actively works to make life better for those who are affected by domestic violence."
CHS Women's Shelter
Center for Hope & Safety in Rochelle Park
"You have been a great help to us during these difficult times. Every week we receive from you many boxes full of vegetables, meats, frozen items, fruits, milk and many other wonderful items that our clients wouldn't have the money to buy."
Catholic Charities of Passaic County
Father English Community Center Food Pantry in Paterson
"What a wonderful organization The Food Brigade is! Thank you for all that you do!"
S.R.
Financial Donor
"I'm a senior citizen with several medical problems, which make it impossible for me to get around without assistance. I walk with a walker, I have macular degeneration (both eyes) and can't drive. The Food Brigade delivers much needed food to me weekly. I don't know how I'd be able to get decent food without their assistance and kindness."
S.M.
Disabled senior in Teaneck
We Need Your Help!
Join the fight against hunger & food insecurity
Since the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding lock-down, food insecurity has skyrocketed. As the need has increased, so has the scope of our hunger-relief operations.