Nutley Farmers Market and Nutley Community Garden Support the Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) Food Pantry in Tackling Food Insecurity

The Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) Food Pantry provides qualifying Nutley residents with groceries to help ensure that those in need have access to nutritious meals in regularly scheduled distributions. In addition to non-perishable staples and proteins, the NFSB Food Pantry also strives to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to participants.

Each week at the Nutley Farmers Market, patrons are invited to donate non-perishable items and/or money to support the NFSB Food Pantry. Every other week aligning with bi-weekly grocery pickup by Pantry participants, donations of Market produce are also welcome. Upcoming dates during the Nutley Farmers Market season include July 31, August 14, August 28, September 11, September 25, October 9, and October 23. The Market runs 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays through October 30 in Municipal Parking Lot #1 (William Street on the east side of Franklin Avenue).

On August 14, NFSB Executive Director Eileen Painter will lead a Market Walk & Talk, a weekly walk and learn group in which participants can ask the walk leader questions within his or her area of expertise during the course of a scenic 3-mile loop that leaves from the Market at 8:30 a.m. NFSB will also spend the day at the Nutley Farmers Market to share information about their mission and accept donations of fresh and non-perishable foods. In addition to the Food Pantry, the NFSB provides affordable mental health counseling and social service programs to strengthen the emotional and social well-being of individuals and families in Nutley and surrounding northern New Jersey communities.

Continuing the theme of access to healthy foods for all, August 14 (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) is also the day that qualifying seniors age 60+ can pick up their Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers. Seniors should bring proof of age, residency, and income (maximum of $1,832 monthly) to receive their $20 in vouchers that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers.

The Nutley Community Garden’s “Grow a Row” program is another source of fresh, local produce donated to the NFSB Food Pantry. Located behind Amvets Post 30, the Garden includes 21 planting beds. Participating residents and organizations plant their own plots and donate at least one row of produce to the NFSB Food Pantry as well as to the Vincent United Methodist Church Care Kitchen (100 Vincent Place, Nutley), which provides meals to individuals, families, and seniors three Saturdays each month.

On August 24 at 6:00 p.m., NFSB Food Pantry (169 Chestnut Street, Nutley) will host a meal-planning workshop led by Shop Rite dietitians who will demonstrate easy ways to boost the flavor and nutrition in cost-effective family meals. To attend, RSVP at the NFSB Food Pantry or NFSB main office (155 Chestnut Street, Nutley), or by calling 973-667-1884.

Besides weekly collection at the Nutley Farmers Market, food donations can always be dropped off at the NFSB Food Pantry, 169 Chestnut Street, during open hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays or 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Donations can also be dropped off at the NFSB main office, 155 Chestnut Street, during business hours.

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About the Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB)
The NFSB mission is to strengthen the emotional and social well-being of individuals and families through affordable mental health counseling and social service programs. The NFSB Food Pantry is a vital part of realizing that mission by providing nutritious foods to Nutley residents in need. NFSB has been a steadfast force in community outreach for over 100 years. Founded in 1913 by a group of concerned Nutley women who recognized the need for social services at a time when few were widely available, the agency’s work has always evolved to meet the needs of the community and changing times. A professionally qualified staff provides a broad scope of mental health and social services to families and individuals in Nutley and the tri-county Northern NJ area. For more information, call 973-667-1884 or visit nutleyfamily.org. Like @nutleyfamilyservice on Facebook.

About the Nutley Farmers Market
The Nutley Farmers Market, established in 2009, features fresh local foods, live musical entertainment, special guests and events, community outreach days, and a weekly walk and learn group. Each week, the Nutley Farmers Market accepts food and monetary donations on behalf of the NFSB Food Pantry. The Nutley Farmers Market helps support New Jersey family farmers and local food producers; enables our community to meet and ask questions of the people
who grow and make our food; brings shoppers into our local business district; and is a great place to meet friends and neighbors. The Market runs 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays from mid-June through October in centrally located Municipal Parking Lot #1 (William Street on the east side of Franklin Avenue). For more information, contact Meredith Blank at (973) 284-4976 or mblank@nutleynj.org. Like @nutleyfarmersmarket1 on Facebook. Follow @nutleyfm on Twitter and @nutleyfarmersmarket on Instagram.

About the Nutley Community Garden
The Nutley Community Garden, located behind Amvets Post 30, is a collaboration of the Nutley Health Department, Greenutley, and the Nutley Amvets. The Garden includes 21 planting beds and was funded by a grant for the Partners for Health Foundation, which aims to strengthen health and wellness in area communities. Participating residents and organizations plant their own plot with the stipulation to "Grow a Row," in which one row of produce will be grown and donated to the NFSB Food Pantry and/or the Vincent Methodist Care Kitchen. The Nutley Community Garden is a bike/walk destination, and includes a storage shed and bike rack to accommodate gardeners. For more information, contact Meredith Blank at (973) 284-4976 or mblank@nutleynj.org. Like @nutleycommunitygarden on Facebook.