Our History
Celebrating 50 Years of Community Impact
For 50 years, Center for Food Action has grown alongside the needs of our community, becoming a trusted safety net for residents across northern New Jersey.
CFA began in 1976 with a small grant from World Hunger Year, founded by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin and radio host Bill Ayres, to a group of Bergen County residents working to combat hunger close to home. From those early beginnings, CFA has continually expanded its reach and services, responding not only to hunger, but to the many challenges that can make it difficult for people to remain stable and meet their basic needs.
From 1976 to Today
Originally known as World Hunger Year New Jersey, CFA opened its doors in Fair Lawn in 1976 with a mission to address hunger through direct assistance, education and advocacy. Its early work included providing emergency food, offering nutrition education, connecting people with public benefits and other resources, and building greater awareness of hunger across New Jersey.
As more people turned to the organization for help, CFA expanded into new communities, opened additional locations and broadened the ways it supported local residents. Rental and utility assistance became an important part of its work, while food assistance grew from short-term emergency support into an ongoing resource for many households.
Through every stage of the organization’s development, CFA has remained grounded in neighbors helping neighbors and the belief that people should be able to access help with dignity when they need it.
Looking ahead, CFA is working to expand choice pantry models, provide greater access to fresh and nutritious food, and connect residents with a broader range of resources and support throughout the local community. The organization will also continue to expand access to and protect federal nutrition programs through the work of Hunger Free New Jersey, its statewide advocacy program, which strives to support residents throughout the entire state.
