Last week, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation announced it is awarding $60,000 to City Green to strengthen the economic resilience of New Jersey communities.
After announcing an open call for grants in January, Dodge selected a number of NJ organizations that are committed to a justice-oriented mission and work to repair unjust systems through distinct tactics. The Dodge Foundation supports organizations that are transforming New Jersey into a just and equitable state, particularly with regard to racial justice.
City Green's community-based work aligns perfectly with the mission of the Foundation by operating two urban farms, a mobile market program, and Good Food Bucks, the NJ statewide nutrition incentive doubling program. Nutrition incentive programming is an effective way to both increase food purchasing power for low-income NJ residents and increase local farm and food business revenue.
City Green is actively securing the lasting success and implementation of these programs for a thriving New Jersey.
“Having witnessed the lack of affordable healthy food access through our mobile farm stand program, our boots-on-the-ground experience has given us the platform to elevate the voices of community members to institute policy and legislative change so that people have more choice in what they want to feed their families,” said Jennifer Papa, Founder and Executive Director of City Green.
With this funding and support, City Green can continue and deepen its strategic programming and plan for the long-term scaling of the work that ensures fair food for all. While there are many legislative and systemic changes to be made, the affirmative support from Dodge Foundation is an investment in the daily effort to improve our food systems.
Read more about this announcement and view other awardees here.
City Green is a 501(c)3 urban farming and gardening organization based in Clifton, New Jersey working to revitalize urban areas through agriculture and educational programming. It offers practical, technical, and financial resources in support of environmental stewardship, equitable access to healthy food, and ecologically sustainable communities. For more information contact Jasmine Moreano, Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy or visit www.citygreenonline.org.