HomeFeaturesBONJ SeriesAmerica's Grow-a-Row Helps Families Fight Food Insecurity

America’s Grow-a-Row Helps Families Fight Food Insecurity

The issue of “food insecurity” affects one-in-six people in the United States. Basically, this means that “lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members” is a growing problem. America’s Grow-a-Row initiative is a program fighting hunger head-on. Moreover, they are educating people about hunger, creating future generations who will join in the mission to end it.

This episode of Caucus: New Jersey with Steve Adubato examines the disconcerting topic of hunger. Show host Steve Adubato, PhD., discusses the issue with a panel of guests. The panel specifically highlights grass-roots organizations working to help individuals and families facing economic hardship. The ultimate goal is to help these families meet their most basic needs, including feeding their loved ones.


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America’s Grow-a-Row Fights Food Insecurity

The panel includes Natasha Rodgers, founder and CEO of The Simuel Whitfield Simmons Organization; Chip Paillex, president and founder of America’s Grow-a-Row; and Marlene Ceragno, founder of The Adult Care Brief Bank (“The Brief Babe”). All three guests are Russ Berrie Making a Difference awardees for being unsung heroes making tremendous impacts in New Jersey.

America's Grow-a-Row Fights Food Insecurity
Special thanks to Franklin Templeton for making this video possible.

“Our program is all about just getting healthy food, fresh fruits and vegetables to those in need,” said Paillex. “And we do that through three pillars where we grow, we glean, and we give.”

But that’s not all America’s Grow-a-Row does. “Our volunteers grow the produce at our three farms,” he added. “They glean—where they rescue produce on some farms and supermarkets—and then give a very unique, hands-on approach to volunteering and seeing where your food comes from and learning about hunger.”

The sad truth is that there are still areas known as “food desserts” across the country. No region or state is exempt, including the Garden State.

“Food desserts are areas in New Jersey or areas around the country where the food is not available for families,” said Rodgers.

Want to learn more about what Rodgers, Paillex and other advocates are doing to pursue their mission of ending hunger? Check out this edition of Caucus: New Jersey with Steve Adubato.

For more stories that impact New Jersey residents, click over to our Hot Topics in NJ series.


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