The Food Brigade

08/06/2026

The Food Brigade is privileged and honored to announce that the pantry managers of our Bergen County Community Market in Dumont, Jim and Meredith Drobinske, were named "Hometown Heroes" by Congressman Josh Gottheimer last Friday, July 31. Congressman Gottheimer's words in this video say it all (link to video in Comments), about what amazing people Jim and Meredith are. We are so extremely fortunate that they are part of our organization. The impact they have made, and continue to make, in our community in the fight against food insecurity is beyond compare. Thank you, Jim and Meredith, for all that you do for our neighbors in need.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate Bergen County Office of Food Security Bergen County Board of Commissioners Borough of Dumont, New Jersey Rep Josh Gottheimer Speaker Craig J. Coughlin

08/03/2026

VOTE NOW TO HELP US WIN A NEW FOOD RESCUE VEHICLE! We have some exciting news: The Food Brigade is a finalist to win a new Land Rover Defender vehicle for use in our food rescue operations! Winning this contest would have a tremendous impact in the fight against food insecurity in New Jersey: we’ll be able to expand our food rescue efforts and better keep up with the increasing need for food assistance that we've been seeing. The winner will be chosen by public voting - so we need your votes daily!!! Voting runs through Friday, August 14 at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time). So please go to

https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/vote/honorees.html -now-open

every day to cast your vote for The Food Brigade! THAT'S RIGHT - you can vote once each day! Thank you for your support, keep your fingers crossed, and please keep voting daily!!

[In 2025, The Food Brigade rescued 456,334 pounds of food - over 228 tons.]

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate Fulfill Norwescap New Jersey Mercer Street Friends Food Bank of South Jersey York County Food Bank Fisherman's Mark Feeding Hands The Franklin Food Bank

07/16/2026

While on vacation, Food Brigade president Karen DeMarco stopped by to visit colleagues at the Human Concerns Food Pantry at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Long Beach Island. A partner agency of the Fulfill food bank, St. Francis is the largest food pantry serving southern Ocean County. In addition to providing walk-in service four days a week to their neighbors in need, they also offer home delivery meal service. Kudos to the St. Francis food pantry for their work in helping New Jersey residents dealing with food insecurity! (Pictured, left to right: Karen DeMarco, Food Brigade President; Breanne LaMarco, St. Francis Family Support Director.)

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate St. Francis Community Center

07/16/2026

Please read:

Please see the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's statement regarding Cyclosporiasis.

07/16/2026

As a Local Distribution Agency for USDA food through TEFAP, The Food Brigade has 3 qualification criteria, for which an applicant must meet at least one to be eligible for assistance. The first criterion is "low income". New income guidelines took effect as of July 1; if you or someone you know falls within these income guidelines, you/they qualify for assistance from The Food Brigade.

07/09/2026

☀️School may be out soon, but your child’s access to nutritious meals doesn’t have to be.

As parents, you’re constantly working to provide for your family and make sure your children have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. This summer, free meal programs in Clifton can help support those efforts by ensuring children continue to have access to healthy meals while school is out.

Every child deserves the opportunity to have a healthy, active, and successful summer.

📍 Free summer meals are available for children throughout Clifton.

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Because when children are nourished, they can focus on what matters most—learning, growing, and enjoying being kids.

07/06/2026

The Food Brigade's co-founders, Karen & Carmine DeMarco, are in the running to be named "America's Favorite Couple". If they win, it would result in a $20,000.00 donation to the work of The Food Brigade in the fight against food insecurity in our area. Please vote! You can vote once per day for free, or you submit multiple votes in their name at once with a donation which helps out the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Thanks for your consideration, and here's the link: https://americasfavcouple.org/2026/karen-and-carmine

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank The Community FoodBank of New Jersey New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate Fulfill Mercer Street Friends Norwescap New Jersey New Jersey Economic Development Authority Food Bank of South Jersey York County Food Bank

One couple will share their love story in a Variety Magazine advertorial, take home $20,000, and enjoy a triple date with Jeff & Emilie Goldblum, plus Charlie Day & Mary Elizabeth Ellis.

07/02/2026

Communication from the City of Clifton:

"The City of Clifton has expanded its cooling center locations to help residents stay safe.

Clifton Recreation Center
1232 Main Ave., Clifton

Friday, July 3 & Saturday, July 4
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The Main Memorial Library and Allwood Branch Library will also continue serving as cooling centers during their regular posted hours.

Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, check on elderly neighbors and other vulnerable individuals, and never leave children or pets unattended in a parked vehicle."

07/02/2026

STEADY INCREASES IN THE NEED FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE: At our Free Community Market (food pantry) in Clifton, since January of this year, The Food Brigade has seen an increase of 10% in the number of households coming to us for food assistance. And we need you to help US help THEM.

The Food Brigade distributes food to local families & residents who have verified they are actually dealing with food insecurity and truly need the food they receive from us. We do NOT require proof of income. We do NOT require documentation (other than to show you're a New Jersey resident). We do NOT have lengthy registration forms. In short, it is NOT a difficult or burdensome process to register to receive food assistance from our organization. In fact, we even offer the convenience of online registration.

The food we distribute is safe and fit for human consumption. We have staff on hand who have completed food safety training and received their Food Handler Certification. All non-perishable food items (cans, boxes, etc.) are maintained at a temperature between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially critical in these 100+ degree days we are currently experiencing.

We need your help to continue to adequately serve local residents in need. So please, donate your excess food to us. Or hold a food drive - through your family, your church, your social or community group, your school - and donate the food you collect. You can also volunteer with us, and experience the fulfillment of helping to feed a neighbor one-to-one.. You can make a monetary donation: not only are we a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, we are also vetted to be able to conduct fundraising in the State of New Jersey, through registration with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section (we're Charity Registration No. CH4394200). So, please help us to help our neighbors in need. Thanks, and have a wonderful Independence Day holiday!