Overview

Population

• July 2001 Census Bureau 622,977 (estimated)
• Characterized predominantly by small towns
• 25% of food stamp participants reside in Asbury Park
• An average of 12.5% of senior citizens depend upon senior feeding programs in Monmouth County

Demographics

• 50,461 residents of Monmouth County (8.1%) are African American
• 38,625 residents of Monmouth County (6.2%) are Hispanic

USDA Food Stamp Participating Families

• 6,790 households participate in the Food Stamp Program
• There is a total of 13,880 Food Stamp Participants in Monmouth County most of which reside in nine communities: Asbury Park, Long Branch, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Keansburg, Union Beach, Freehold, Eatontown, Howell, Red Bank, with 25% of recipients residing in Asbury Park.
• Statistics from the Monmouth County Division of Social Services Food Stamp Division show that half of the total recipients are children.

Monmouth County FSNEP Project

This portion of the New Jersey State Nutrition Education Program will target education toward the needs of food stamp-eligible residents in these nine communities.

In Monmouth County there are also over 8,700 children who depend on free or reduced lunch. In those communities with a high number of food stamp program participants, we need to provide the proper nutrition education so these children can continue to eat nutritiously once they leave school. In educating these children, their health and education can be improved and hopefully the good habits they learn will be carried with them into the future.

In addition to the FSNEP adult target audience population, a second population of concern is the senior population. In most communities, reliance on senior feeding programs is crucial ensuring that they receive at least one or more nutritious meal(s) of the day. Nutrition education at most senior feeding sites is scant or non-existent. Statistics show that 7% of senior clients age 65 and over live in poverty and have greater susceptibility to nutritional deficiencies. Nutrition education can improve the health of this target population therefore; the Monmouth County Food Stamp Nutrition Education Project will continue to target this audience.

Non Duplication

• Monmouth County does not have an EFNEP project.

Project Objectives

• To promote the FSNEP Project and its statewide mission and expand the program to new municipal and county-wide agencies in Monmouth County.
• To increase food security through nutrition education programs to food stamp eligible adults and senior citizens via lessons approved by the State Nutrition Specialist and according to the statewide mission.
• To provide food safety and nutrition education to food service workers and volunteers at emergency or supplemental food outlets, soup kitchens and pantries.
• To provide behaviorally focused nutrition education to youth and young adults in schools that will motivate participants to adopt healthful eating lifestyle and practices that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid.

• Develop and implement methods to promote the use of and exposure to FSNEP by food stamp residents of Monmouth County and successfully recruit them into classes and activities.
• Provide necessary training for paraprofessional & staff
• Deliver behaviorally learner-driven, nutrition education through research-based curriculum for youth that has been approved by the nutrition specialist(s).
• Conduct outreach activities to recruit participants

Networking and outreach efforts will be documented through the agendas and the attendance records of county network meetings. ERS data on adult and senior programming will be included in the year-end evaluation report along with site and class information. Evaluation reports for food service workers participating in the soup kitchen food safety and nutrition education training initiative.

Collaborative Relationships

Richard Obal, CEDH – Monmouth County RCE-PI
Rachel Tansey, Program Associate, Monmouth County RCE
Karen Cloud, Asbury Park Work Force Program
Patricia Reed, One Stop Career Center
Ray Cardano, One Stop Career Center
Peggy Comfort, Manna House
Lisa Barnes, Transitional House for Moms-Spring House
Anna Pires, Long Branch Hand n Hand
Sister Virgina, Keansburg’s Project Paul
Donna Siegel, Monmouth County Youth Detention Center
Rosemary Gray, Neptune Senior Center
Guy Villapiano, Asbury Senior Center
Cindy Reich, VNA of Central Jersey
Wendy Tooker, Keyport Senior Center
Allen Oberman, Catholic Charities Project Free
Sister Elizabeth Garvey, Director of the Bay Shore Day Center
Mary Burn, Director of Food Bank of Monmouth/Ocean Counties
Joseph Marmora, Interfaith Neighbors/Monmouth Cty. Senior Feeding Program
Annie Hainesworth, Neptune Food Pantry – CHANT
Michelle Mitchell, Women’s Center of Monmouth County
Kathy Ruf, Long Branch Vocation School
Paul DeSantis, Collier Services Group Home
Sher VanFossan, Junior League of Monmouth County
Therese Hendrickson, Keansburg School District

Contact

Rachel Tansey, FCHS Program Associate
Monmouth County FSNEP
RCE of Monmouth County
4000 Kozloski Road, P.O. Box 5033
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (732) 431-7271
Fax: (732) 409-4813
Email: tansey@aesop.rutgers.edu