Middlesex County’s Office of Extension Services is presenting a new program designed to help feed the hungry in New Jersey.
“Getting Healthy Food to Those in Need: A Symposium for Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 6 at the EARTH Center at Davidsons Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick.
The conference is free, but registration is required by July 1.
The purpose of the symposium is to assist food pantries, soup kitchens, social service agencies and churches throughout Middlesex County in being successful providers of food to those in need.
The first part of the evening will be an introduction to USDA programs aimed at low-income residents and their families. Programs include EFNEP and SNAP-Ed. The relationship between food sources and distributors will also be discussed by two groups who rely on volunteer efforts — the Farmers Against Hunger division of the New Jersey Agricultural Society and MCFOODS, the county food bank.
The second half of the evening will focus on food pantries that offer fresh produce from their community gardens. Advice on gardening practices and composting will be discussed during a tour of the Master Gardeners’ demonstration gardens. A gardening Q-and-A session will follow.
To register, call 732-398-5273 or email Janice.tonkery@co.middlesex.nj.us.
