Trenton Health Team (THT) has announced the launch of the Tri-County Food Insecurity Index, which provides critical community insights to help address food insecurity in Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties in New Jersey.
Following the successful debut of this tool in November 2022 with data limited to Mercer County, this enhanced version incorporates new learnings from Middlesex and Somerset, thanks to new funding and support from the New Jersey Office of Food Security Advocate.
Dr. Jenny Schrum, research and evaluation strategy manager at OFSA, says, “The Tri-County Food Insecurity Index serves as a valuable tool for people working within the food security space. It also fosters discussions about food insecurity at a hyper-local level. County coalitions, interdisciplinary teams, and partner organizations can analyze the data collaboratively, exploring solutions while considering the real-world context of the communities they serve. Many of these individuals already deeply understand their community’s needs, and the index validates this knowledge and offers new insights that can enhance their efforts.”
The Tri-County Food Insecurity Index offers the information essential to making data-informed, evidence-based decisions to address food insecurity. By providing a comprehensive overview across three New Jersey counties, we aim to foster collaboration among various sectors, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet the urgent needs of residents.
Looking ahead, THT envisions expanding the Tri-County Food Insecurity Index to include data from additional New Jersey counties. The goal is to incorporate feedback from community partners throughout the state to enhance the index’s usability and impact. By continually refining this tool, THT hopes to not only improve immediate responses to food insecurity but also promote long-term strategies for a stronger, more resilient food landscape.
To learn more about the Trenton Health Team’s food security projects, contact Matthew Broad at mbroad@trentonhealthteam.org or visit trentonhealthteam.org/food.
