Overview

Population

• 2003 (estimate) Census Bureau 546,081
• Per Capita Income (1999) $23,054
• 7% of the population is below the poverty level (1999)

Demographics

• 93% White (2000)
• Minority population is primarily Hispanic and African-American

USDA Food Stamp Participating Families

• 5,740 households in Ocean County are Food Stamp Program Participants
• According to the Ocean County Food Stamp Office, there were 13,926 people (6,103 adults and 7,823 children) receiving food stamps in November 2004.
• 48% of Food Stamp participants live in Dover Township or Lakewood.

Ocean County FSNEP Project

The FSNEP Program addresses the following needs for limited resource individuals in Ocean County.

• Inability to have food stamps and food budget last through the month
• Limited food preparation and food storage facilities
• High reliance on convenience foods and fast food restaurants
• Limited nutrition and food safety knowledge
• High consumption of high fat foods and low consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy products
  
  
• Non Duplication
  • There is no EFNEP programming in Ocean County

• Project Objectives
  • To promote the FSNEP Project and its statewide mission. To increase food security through nutrition education programs to the Food Stamp eligible population, resulting in improved dietary habits, food purchase and food preparation practices and improved eating behaviors.
  • To improve and increase collaboration among existing agencies that currently work with low-income audiences, other governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and private enterprises to improve the nutrition education services available to food stamp program participants in Ocean County.

• Project Activities
  • Market program in order to increase county network collaboration opportunities
  • Provide nutrition education to participants
  • Increase outreach to new participants

• Evaluation
  • The evaluation methodology, which is used, includes an overall measurement of the impact of nutrition education amongst the population of Food Stamp program participants. The ERS reporting system is used for Pre and Post Diet Recalls and Behavioral Checklists. Only the Behavioral Checklist is used in programs lasting less than 6 weeks. An evaluation report of the project will be submitted for possible publication in a peer reviewed Nutrition and/or Family and Consumer Sciences journal.

Collaborative Relationships

Catholic Charities Ocean/Monmouth Behavioral Health Care Division
Lakewood School District
Ocean County Children’s Shelter
Preferred Behavioral Health of NJ
RCE of Ocean County
Seaside Heights School District
Toms River Regional School District
WorkForce New Jersey

Contact

Judy Klavens-Giunta, RD
Program Associate
Ocean County FSNEP
RCE of Ocean County
1623 Whitesville Road
Toms River, NJ 08755
Phone: (732) 349-1247
Fax: (732) 505-8941
Email: Guinta@aesop.rutgers.edu