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.
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). |
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.