Our Work » HEALTH United Way Pantry Partners Summary of Our Work United Way of Northern New Jersey Pantry Partners works to increase opportunities for healthy eating for all, particularly access to fresh produce for those most in need in our North Essex communities, including guests of area food pantries and soup kitchens, and low income seniors. For the first time in history, lifestyle diseases kill more people than communicable ones. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2009 Established in 2010 with a grant from Partners for Health Foundation, United Way Pantry Partners has established a network within our North Essex communities that works together to increase access to healthy foods and produce. United Way Pantry Partners Mission The mission of United Way Pantry Partners is to convene, organize, and serve as a resource for the community in matters relating to the benefits of healthy eating and healthy food access. United Way Pantry Partners goals are: - To partner with public, private, faith-based and nonprofit organizations to increase access to healthy food at food pantries, soup kitchens, senior facilities, schools, and businesses of all kinds.
- To promote the public health and environmental benefits of gardening and local farming for everyone.
- To improve access to information about healthy eating and healthy food options.
- To advocate for policies and legislation that increase access to healthy foods for all.
- To increase youth involvement in growing food and advocating for healthy foods for all.
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