Middlesex County NJ

Established in 1994, REPLENISH aims to help achieve food security and offer access to nutritionally sufficient food and essential supplies for all Middlesex County residents. The program, overseen by the Middlesex County Department of Community Services with the support of the Board of County Commissioners, is a collaborative effort involving various partnerships committed to eradicating hunger. Through REPLENISH, local governments, nonprofit agencies, businesses, schools, community food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, and houses of worship unite to collectively pursue our mission.

In 2023, REPLENISH received and distributed over 5.2 million pounds of food including fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to over 160 partners. We wish to thank the volunteers and staff who have given their time, energy, and talents over the last 30 years. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Building upon the foundation laid by MCFOODS in 1994, REPLENISH represents a collaborative effort involving numerous partnerships aimed at eradicating hunger. REPLENISH closely aligns with the organization's central mission by delivering a comprehensive hunger eradication program to a network of 160 partner organizations. It provides a range of foods, including dairy, frozen, fresh, and shelf-stable items, as well as necessities to food pantries, soup kitchens, and social service organizations across the 25 municipalities in Middlesex County. This approach allows these partners to concentrate fully on effectively addressing the nutritional and essential needs within their respective communities. In addition to food distribution, REPLENISH offers its partners valuable resources such as networking opportunities, tools for resource-sharing, and nutritional guidelines for clients. Operating on a broader scale, REPLENISH actively advocates for programs and policies designed to combat hunger and poverty.

The initial initiative, known as MCFOODS (Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services), was established in 1994 to address food insecurity and ensure access to nutritionally adequate food and essential items for all Middlesex County residents. This endeavor was spearheaded by then Freeholder Jane Z. Brady and the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners.
From its humble beginnings operating out of a closet in a park police building in Roosevelt Park in Edison, the program has grown to occupy a 5,000-square-foot warehouse in East Brunswick. In its early years, MCFOODS received and distributed 92,000 pounds of nonperishable foods and necessities to approximately 30 partner agencies. Fast forward to 2022, REPLENISH received and distributed over 4.7 million pounds of food, including fresh produce, dairy, and meat products, to a network of over 150 partners.

Watch REPLENISH hard at work and in the spotlight.

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