Burlington County Commissioners Create Food Security Coalition to Coordinate Hunger-Relief Efforts

The Burlington County Commissioners today announced the creation of a new countywide Food Security Coalition to help coordinate hunger relief services across the county and develop integrated strategies to ensure all county families can access healthy food.

As a part of their anti-hunger mission, the new coalition will partner with the County Commissioners, Burlington County Department of Human Services and the Food Bank of South Jersey to hold a food distribution event on Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center (53 Academy Drive, Westampton). 

During the event, Burlington County residents in need of assistance will receive a free box of groceries and information about assistance programs.  “Burlington County has made fighting hunger and food insecurity a top priority, so we continue to look for new ways to ensure vulnerable residents and families have the help they need,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “The County Food Security Coalition will create a unified, countywide plan that brings our County and local governments, food pantries, houses of worship, and other community groups together to address this critical issue. We’re excited for the coalition to begin its work, and we believe holding a food distribution event before the Thanksgiving holiday is a great way to help those in need.”

“Food insecurity affects far too many Burlington County families, often including neighbors, friends and co-workers whose struggles may go unnoticed,” said Senator Troy Singleton. “I commend the Burlington County Commissioners for bringing together those on the front lines of hunger to address the root causes and find new ways to connect residents with the assistance they need.”
The Burlington County Food Security Coalition will consist of up to 25 appointees from a variety of government agencies, programs, and stakeholder groups. Its mission will be to unite county agencies, food pantries, health care providers, and community groups to strengthen food security through improved coordination, resource sharing, and community outreach. 

The Commissioners appointed the first members of the new coalition during their October 14 board meeting. Members include representatives from the Burlington County Health Department, Burlington County Department of Human Services, County Women Infant and Children program, County Board of Social Services, Virtua Health, Food Bank of South Jersey, County Office on Aging, Aetna Health, Zallie’s Foundation, and the Beacon of Hope Food Pantry. 

“At a time when families in Burlington County and across the nation are being squeezed by rising costs for food, gasoline, health care and other basic needs, it’s important that our County continues to step up and assist those who need it,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel. “The Food Security Coalition will make sure those on the front lines fighting hunger have the resources they require and that every Burlington County family has access to nutritious food.”

Expanding outreach
One key initiative the new coalition is expected to focus on is expansion of the County’s existing Lunches & Information for Tenants and Underserved Population (LIFT UP) program to promote eligibility for free- and reduced-price school meal programs.

The LIFT UP program was created by the County Department of Human Services in 2022 to connect residents with information about social services and other assistance programs. During LIFT UP events, County Human Services staff and representatives from other County departments and state agencies travel to an underserved neighborhood and set up information tables for informal meetings and outreach. Attendees also receive free boxed lunches and other food supplies during the events.
Close to 1,400 Burlington County households received assistance during 12 LIFT UP events held to date, according to the County Department of Human Services.
Burlington County is expanding the program using a $30,000 Building Expanded Access to Nutritious School Meals (BEANS) grant awarded by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate to boost outreach about school-based nutrition programs.

More than 15,000 Burlington County students are enrolled to receive free or reduced-priced school meals, but officials believe more children are likely eligible but are not enrolled.
“We know that school meals are one of the best ways to help children receive the nutrition they need to succeed, and also help their families save substantially on groceries,” said Commissioner Tyler Burrell, liaison to the Burlington County schools. “Anything our County can do to boost enrollment in the school meal program has a net benefit and our LIFT UP program is a proven model for reaching underserved households.”

Other hunger-relief initiatives
The creation of the Food Security Coalition and expansion of LIFT UP are the latest actions taken by the Commissioners to end hunger and food insecurity across the county. Their effort began in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when, in response to the crisis, the County partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to hold monthly food distribution events at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton to give out free boxes of shelf-stable groceries, fresh produce, dairy products, and prepared meals, to households in need. Those receiving help were also offered assistance with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications and were given information about other assistance programs.
Close to 48,000 individuals received food during the more than 40 distribution events held by the County.
Burlington County also implemented several other hunger-relief initiatives in the past few years.
In 2024, the Commissioners also provided financial help to local food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens and other nonprofit organizations fighting food insecurity in the county. More than $423,000 in funding was awarded through the program. 
In November 2025, the County launched the Burlington County Food Hub in the Department of Human Services Building (795 Woodlane Road, Westampton). The Food Hub program is a companion to the Housing Hub and provides supplies of groceries and dairy products to food insecure households who are seeking aid through other social services programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
Households applying for assistance receive food supplies while they wait for their applications to be processed. More than 700 households have received assistance from the Food Hub since its launch last year.  
In 2025, the County also launched a partnership with the Food Bank of South Jersey and Zallie Community Foundation to assist homebound residents. Under the partnership, the Burlington County Department of Human Services uses one of its Meals on Wheels vehicles and drivers to deliver groceries to homebound seniors enrolled in a Food Bank assistance program.
“Food insecurity is a real threat that impacts the health and wellbeing of children, working adults and seniors throughout our nation,” said Commissioner Director Hopson. “Our County doesn’t just talk about this problem. We continue to take action to assist those in need and provide a safety net for vulnerable households.”