Deadline Friday for NJ Meal Distribution Grant Program: Sustain and Save NJ

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 12:07pm

IMAGE: Getty Images

Applications are due by Friday for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Sustain and Serve NJ Grant Program. 

The $2 million grant program provides funding to organizations that will use the monies to purchase meals, in bulk, from restaurants that have lost business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meal kits will then be distributed at no cost to New Jersey residents.

Eligible organizations, which have already been distributing meals to those in need, will receive grants of at least $100,000 to cover the costs of continuing to purchase meals. 

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ORGANIZATION APPLICATION

Applications are due by January 8, 2021

Eligible Organizations: 

• Legally registered to do business in New Jersey
• In good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and the New Jersey Division of Taxation, including 501(c) non-profit organizations
• Prior bulk purchases of 3,000 or more meals, valued at $50,000 or more, from New Jersey-based restaurants since March 9, 2020

The online application is found online here.

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RESTAURANT PARTICIPATION

Eligible organization grant applicants will identify the restaurant/s from which they will be purchasing meals. 

Restaurants that are interested in providing meals through the grant program can have their information published on the NJ COVID-19 Business Information Hub.

Eligible Restaurants:

• 50 or fewer employees
• Physical location in New Jersey
• Legally registered to do business in New Jersey
• Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor, New Jersey Division of Taxation, and (where applicable) the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• Possess valid municipal or county inspection certification showing a current rating of Satisfactory per the New Jersey Retail Food Establishment Rating system
• In operation on or before February 15, 2020
• Business negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

The Restaurant Interest Form is found online here. 

The NJEDA recommends that restaurants also contact established bulk meal purchasing and distribution organizations to discuss potential partnerships.
 
The current list of Participating Restaurants is found online here.

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NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan


“The NJEDA’s COVID-19 relief efforts have prioritized supporting industries and communities that have been the most severely impacted by the pandemic.

We know the restaurant industry has been hit particularly hard, and we are committed to ensuring restaurants have the resources they need to stay in business while keeping their employees and customers safe.

​Phase 3 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program committed more than $35 million in targeted funding to restaurants. Now Sustain and Serve NJ builds on that with additional relief for our restaurant sector. This is crucial to ensuring New Jersey’s communities and economy withstand the pandemic and are in a strong position to recover.”

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GRANT FUNDING PROVISIONS

Sustain and Serve NJ Grant program funding will cover expenses related to the direct cost of purchasing meals. Meal costs, up to $10 per meal, are determined by participating restaurants. 

Restaurant Meal Costs Include: 

• Food and ingredients
  
• Labor
  
• Packaging
  
• Facilities
  
• Profit margin
  
  

Sales tax and gratuity cannot be paid for using grant funds. Grants can cover meals purchased in bulk through date of grant until April 30, 2021. ​

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NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The NJEDA serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth and is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Key Strategies: 

• help build strong and dynamic communitie
  
• create good jobs for New Jersey residents
  
• provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy
  
  

Further Information: 

• NJEDA Customer Care:  609-858-6767
  
• Website