REPLENISH Membership

Current Status

REPLENISH is not onboarding new food pantry partners at this time.

Collaboration Opportunities

Organizations interested in supporting food security work are encouraged to collaborate with existing food pantries in their area. Partnership efforts can help:

• Extend service hours 
• Increase food choice for neighbors
• Connect individuals to additional community resources 

Find a Local Pantry

Visit the Need Food Assistance Page to locate nearby food pantries and services.

The REPLENISH Distribution Center, located in East Brunswick, is open weekday mornings for registered members of our network, including food pantries, soup kitchens and social service agencies in Middlesex County, to access foods and necessities.

Available Supplies

Partners may access a variety of items, including:

• Shelf-stable canned and packaged foods
• Fresh bread and produce
• Personal care, hygiene, and household products (when available)

REPLENISH works collaboratively with organizations such as the Community FoodBank of NJ, Rows for the Hungry, Feeding Middlesex County and many other local retailers, wholesalers and distributors in an effort to make more healthy, fresh and nutritious food available for food insecure Middlesex County residents.

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey typically accepts new partners, check the eligibility of your pantry or soup kitchen by visiting the Community Foodbank of NJ. Along with partnership opportunities, the Community Foodbank of NJ offers other resources like job training, volunteer opportunities, nutrition guidance, and more.

Understanding Food Labels

Food items may sometimes be distributed close to or beyond their labeled dates. Understanding common terms can help reduce unnecessary food waste:

• “Sell By” 
• “Use By” 
• “Best By” 

Most shelf-stable foods remain safe for consumption beyond these dates when stored properly.

Reference Materials

• REPLENISH Food Date Label Help Guide
• CFBNJ Guide on Product Dating and Shelf Life
• County Health Department Statement on Product Dating
• More Meals, Less Waste

Legal Protections for Donors

Since 1983, New Jersey protects donors from liability when they handle, store, and transport items safely and donate in good faith. Applicable legislation includes: 

• Food Bank Good Samaritan Act (1982)
• Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (1996)

Overview

The New Jersey Statewide Food Insecurity Index, launched in June 2025 by the Trenton Health Team with support from the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, measures the severity of food insecurity across communities.

Local Integration

Middlesex County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team has integrated the Middlesex County Index with:

• The Healthy Food Access Map
• Findings from the 2024 “More Than Food” Capacity Assessment
• County-level food insecurity data 

This combined dataset helps identify service gaps and guide strategic program development and resource allocation.

Interactive Map

Users can explore the interactive map to:

• View food insecurity scores by area 
• Understand key community characteristics 
• Identify available food resources and transportation routes 
  

Additional details, including methodology, are available on the Food Insecurity Index page.

About the Program

Growing Healthy Pantries is a collaborative effort among New Jersey’s five food banks: CFBNJ, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, Norwescap.

Program Goals

REPLENISH is partnering with CFBNJ to roll it out to our partners in Middlesex County. The goal of the toolkit is to improve the well-being of the community by providing strategies to increase choice of foods; promote a variety of healthy foods; build an environment that strengthens dignity with compassion; and advocates for food security at all New Jersey food pantries.

For more information visit Growing Healthy Pantries.

REPLENISH is working with the Center for Health Care Strategies to develop a long-term strategic plan to address food security across Middlesex County. The Long Term Strategic Plan outlines the mission, vision, core values and plan progress to date.

The finalized plan will be published on this page once completed.