Neptune Township: Apply for Free School Meals

NEW JERSEY - Recently, TAPinto Neptune had a chance to sit down with Lisa Pitz, Director of Hunger Free New Jersey .  Hunger Free NJ is a Statewide anti-hunger organization with a wide network of partners, doing outreach and education to improve access to healthy food for New Jersey families in need.

Lisa has been Hunger Free NJ's Director for 2 years, and she's been with the organization for over 22 years.  Lisa has an apparent and admirable passion for ensuring that all families know how to access healthy food for these families.

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TAPinto Neptune: What does Hunger Free NJ do?

Lisa Pitz: We are a statewide antihunger organization. A lot of our advocacy focuses on getting federal dollars to provide access to federal government nutrition programs. This program itself started over 45 years ago as Hunger Free New Jersey, and we have a wide network of partners, including community, faith based organizations,and schools, and we do outreach and education to improve access to healthy food. Hunger Free NJ is a program of the Center For Food Action , which is a private, non-profit organization.

TN: What would you like New Jersey residents to know about accessing meals?

LP: The approval criteria recently changed for families to apply for completely free breakfast and lunch at school and HFNJ is doing an education campaign to let families know that everyone should apply- all applications are processed confidentially- In 2024, the criteria for approval for this program is increasing up to 224% of Federal poverty line based on gross income (translating to just under 70K for family of four).

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TN: What's in the future for Hunger Free NJ?

LP: We're working on a campaign to provide free school meals for all, regardless of approval for the Federal program. School Meals For Al l is the campaign name.

TN: What is the best part of your job?

LP: When we’re able to see systems change.  We saw, as a result of our advocacy and the advocacy of our partners, in a law that Governor Murphy signed in 2019, the State eliminated reduced-price category for school meals and the kids that were previously catagorized under that reduced-price qualification got free meals. Also on the State level, in 2022, New Jersey increased income eligibility up to 200% of poverty income line, which made it much more realistic for people who are struggling to become eligible for free meals. And we know this is an investment in our kids- the benefits of school meals are increased focus, participation, and all around, better education outcomes

Hunger Free NJ believes "Healthy students are better learners. One of the best ways to guarantee that students stay focused and engaged in the classroom is to ensure they have a nutritious breakfast and lunch.  One of the best ways to ensure students are able to access free and reduced-price meals at school is by filling out the “School Meals and Summer EBT Application.”

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