18 Credit Unions Throughout New Jersey Come Together for Third Annual Food Cooperative to Help Address State Hunger Crisis
First Harvest Credit Union, Affinity Federal Credit Union, and EdiFi Credit Union have come together to co-sponsor the third annual New Jersey Credit Unions Food Cooperative. This statewide initiative unites 18 credit unions to help fight food insecurity across New Jersey, with this year’s collection focused on replenishing food pantry supplies during the summer months, when many children lose access to school-provided meals while on break.
The cooperative will help replenish shelves at local food pantries and community organizations during a period of increased need. The branch locations of participating credit unions will serve as collection sites from June 15, 2026 through August 31, 2026.
According to recent reporting from the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, New Jersey’s average food insecurity rate was 11.7% in 2023, with 1.1 million residents experiencing food insecurity. From 2020 to 2023, the rate of food insecurity among children under 18 increased from 9.0% to 13.4%. Additionally, the Economic Development Authority identified the state’s top 50 food desert communities, which have a combined population of 1.5 million residents. Many of these communities continue to have limited access to healthy, affordable food sources and are largely located within the footprints of the participating credit unions.
To donate, credit union members and residents throughout New Jersey can review the participating credit unions listed below and visit a nearby branch to drop off non-perishable food items. Donations collected at each credit union branch will directly support food pantries and community organizations within their local communities.
Participating credit unions include:
- Affinity Federal Credit Union (Co-Sponsor)
- Edifi Credit Union (Co-Sponsor)
- First Harvest Credit Union (Co-Sponsor)
- ACE Federal Credit Union
- Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union
- Bay Atlantic Federal Credit Union
- Bridgeton Onized Federal Credit Union
- County Excellence Federal Credit Union
- Deepwater Industries Federal Credit Union
- Elizabeth, NJ Firemen's Federal Credit Union
- Healthcare Employees Federal Credit Union
- Manville Area Federal Credit Union
- Members 1st of NJ Federal Credit Union
- Motion Federal Credit Union
- Princeton Federal Credit Union
- Ridgedale Federal Credit Union
- Seaport Federal Credit Union
- The Atlantic Federal Credit Union
Essential food items with the greatest need include:
- Canned fruits & vegetables
- Whole grain pasta & rice
- Instant potatoes
- Low-sugar cereals
- Canned protein like tuna & chicken
- Spreads in plastic jars
- Shelf stable milk & nut milks
- Canned soups & stews
“As not-for-profit credit unions, we have an inherent responsibility to uplift the communities we serve. New Jersey’s credit unions serve a wide variety of rural, urban, and suburban communities. There is a food inequity and affordability crisis that is impacting all of our residents. Credit unions have a proven ability to lead when there is a need to help those who are underserved. New Jersey’s credit unions are proud to lead on this important member-driven mission.” First Harvest President & CEO Mike Dinneen.
“We’re seeing the stress that the increased cost of food and necessities is having on our local communities. This effort to help those in need is perfectly consistent with the mission of the credit union movement to lift up individuals and families. It’s great to see so many of our credit union colleagues collaborating together towards this initiative.” EdiFi Credit Union President & CEO Jill Peterson
“With food insecurity on the rise throughout the state, we felt a call to action to support communities with limited access to healthy and affordable food sources. The credit union difference is about people helping people, and New Jersey credit unions coming together for initiatives like this demonstrates the cooperative spirit of working with our members and local communities.” Affinity Federal Credit Union President & CEO Kevin Brauer.
About Affinity Federal Credit Union
Affinity Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in New Jersey, proudly serving members with over 20 branches across the tri-state area. Ranked among the top 2% of all credit unions nationwide by asset size, Affinity offers a full range of banking, lending, and financial education resources designed to help members achieve lasting financial security. Guided by a mission to improve financial wellbeing, Affinity is a member-owned, community-focused institution built on the philosophy of people helping people, empowering individuals and families to reach their unique financial goals. Learn more at www.affinityfcu.com.
About EdiFi Credit Union
EdiFi was originally founded in 1958 to serve the educators in Burlington County, New Jersey. From those roots, our members taught us something important – the more you know, the more you grow. We now serve a broad range of communities and professions, from educators and healthcare professionals to business owners and municipal employees and more, with 6 branches located throughout Southern NJ. We’re committed to providing the financial resources to empower a brighter future! For more information, please visit EdiFiCU.com.
About First Harvest Credit Union
Established in 1940, First Harvest Credit Union is New Jersey’s largest low-income designated credit union. Headquartered in Deptford, NJ, First Harvest has more than $480 million in assets, 50,000 members, and 700 Select Employer Groups. First Harvest is the largest credit union in Southern New Jersey and operates six full-service branches and five ATM-only locations across Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, and Gloucester Counties. The credit union offers a full suite of savings, spending, borrowing, and financial wellness solutions for consumers, institutions, and businesses. For more information about First Harvest Credit Union, visit FirstHarvestCU.com.
