New Jersey food bank readies 95,000 turkeys, chickens, and hams as more families seek help

Rising food prices and growing demand for assistance are reshaping Thanksgiving purchases at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The nonprofit is preparing 95,000 hams, chicken roasters, and turkeys for families statewide.

Here's what to know

The organization is buying roughly half as many turkeys as it did in 2025 following a price increase of more than 60%, according to NBC Philadelphia.

"Rising food costs are impacting not only neighbors, but organizations such as ourselves," said Jeannie Fournier, the food bank's chief impact officer.

NBC Philadelphia reported that an estimated 330,000 children are among the more than 1.2 million New Jersey residents facing food insecurity.

Staff are stocking freezers with boxes of Thanksgiving turkeys for distribution at the nonprofit's Egg Harbor Township facility in Atlantic County.

More background

Paula Tintinago, who directs community connections for the food bank, said families whose grocery budgets fall short are seeking help from pantries, according to NBC Philadelphia.

"We have here families that never went to a pantry. They are saying there is no other way that they can afford food for my family," Tintinago said.

Some households also face uncertainty before Thanksgiving over new federal eligibility rules and work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, according to NBC Philadelphia. Those concerns come on top of rising grocery costs.

"It's very confusing, the information that's out there about who is eligible and who is not eligible," Tintinago emphasized.

Stephen Santiago, who manages community connections for the food bank, described the emotional toll of losing that support.

"When that goes away or gets reduced, we're seeing families emotionally struggle as well on top of that," Santiago said.

What's being done?

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is increasing its purchases of chicken roasters to offset the smaller turkey order.

Residents can get help understanding the stricter SNAP requirements, checking their eligibility, and applying for benefits at outreach sessions the organization is offering across New Jersey, according to NBC Philadelphia.

"We know that the need is very large and it's only increasing," Fournier said.

Where can I learn more?

Food banks and soup kitchens in other states are also struggling to keep up with demand. These stories cover funding losses, holiday donation shortfalls, and changes in SNAP assistance.

• A Florida food bank is turning people away months after a 12-day SNAP pause.

• In Massachusetts, a soup kitchen faces rising need without matching donations during the holidays.

• A California food bank launched a donation drive as demand surged and federal aid dried up.

• Texas food stamp enrollment hit a 17-year low while food banks reported surging need.

• A California food bank lost $3 million as grocery prices pushed more families toward assistance.

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