Feeding the Hungry . . . and more

As our supporters know,  the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women is committed to addressing food insufficiency in the neighborhood.  We continue to provide the materials for women to grow their own vegetables to feed their families and we continue to provide supermarket gift cards when necessary.  Additionally, we provide diapers and baby wipes for some of our families, so that they might have more money to spend on food, especially at the end of the month.

We are happy to share that, in addition to providing direct support for our hungry families, we are also participating in focus groups as part of a research study entitled, "Understanding FMNP Redemption Barriers," by Dr. Renata Blumberg and her students at Montclair State University.  Dr. Blumberg, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Services at MSU, has visited the Center many times, has assisted in our garden and has previously interviewed our gardeners.  Her present research centers on the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (commonly known as "WIC.")  Redemption rates of FMNP vouchers are not as high as they should be.  Why is that?  Dr. Blumberg is dedicated to finding out.  By participating in her research, the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women hopes to begin to move beyond merely feeding the hungry toward addressing the reasons why they are hungry.  We are grateful to Dr. Blumberg and her students for including us in their research.

Dr. Renata Blumberg during a recent focus group session.
Dr. Blumberg provided a nutritious, delicious lunch for the participants.