Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced an additional $10 million in funding to support the creation of a third phase of the Sustain & Serve NJ Program, bringing the total program funding to nearly $45 million.

Launched by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) in December 2020, Sustain & Serve NJ has provided eligible entities with grants to support the purchase of meals from New Jersey-based restaurants that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The meals have then been distributed to families in need.

Through the first two phases of the program, the NJEDA awarded more than $34 million to 31 organizations across the state. Since February 2021, Sustain and Serve grantees have purchased two million meals from more than 400 participating restaurants across nearly 150 municipalities in all 21 counties. An additional 1.5 million meals are expected to be purchased between now and January 2022 using Phase 2 grants. Phase 3 funding is expected to support the purchase of an additional one million meals, bringing the total number of meals purchased and distributed to 4.5 million.

Phase 3 of Sustain & Serve NJ will make up to $10 million in American Rescue Plan funding available to organizations in New Jersey. Eligible organizations will receive grants for bulk purchases of meals from New Jersey-based restaurants. The entities will then distribute the meals at no cost.

A list of current Sustain and Serve NJ grantees can be found at njeda.com/public_information/#Activity-reports