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NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate and Rutgers FCHS Collaborate

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Pictured from the left Dr. Dan Dychtwald, Jemmell’z Washington-Rock, Ricardo Kairios, and Mark Dinglasan

Hey Mercer County! Last month, in partnership with the Mercer Council A.S.Y.S.S.T. Program, Ricardo Kairios, FCHS Educator/Assistant Professor, collaborated with the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) to host a discussion with high school students at Ewing High School.

During this engaging session, representatives from OFSA, including Executive Director Mark Dinglasan, Program Manager Jemmell’z Washington-Rock, and Program Manager/Government Representative Dr. Dan Dychtwald, interacted with students to discuss key priorities in food security and provide valuable professional development tips. Topics included exploring diverse career opportunities, leveraging individual skills, and empowering students to use their voices to support their community. The students posed insightful questions that stimulated rich discussions.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County is grateful to the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate for its ongoing support and commitment to developing healthy and equitable food systems. For more information about OFSA, please visit their website (NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate), which features news, evidenced-based references, current initiatives, and funding opportunities related to food security.

Additional Resources

Food Assistance in Mercer County

If you are seeking food assistance, visit the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank website. Here, you can access the Mercer County Free Food Finder and discover local services: Food | Mercer Street Friends

SNAP Eligibility

Are you wondering if you qualify for SNAP benefits? Visit the NJ Department of Human Services website to learn more about SNAP and eligibility criteria: NJ SNAP | Who is Eligible for SNAP?

  • Use the 9-Question Screening Tool available here: NJHelps

Learn More About Food Security

To deepen your understanding of food security, review resources from Hunger Free NJ and the Food and Action Research Center (FRAC). These organizations provide valuable insights into current priorities and actionable steps to elevate food security.