Stop & Shop Expands School Food Pantry Program in New Jersey with $7,500 Donation to Ramapo College

With final exams approaching, Ramapo College of New Jersey and Stop & Shop marked a $7,500 donation with a check presentation to support the College’s food pantry and 11 satellite grab-and-go locations across campus. The funding will help expand access to food and essential items for more than 2,400 students and their families.

At Ramapo College of New Jersey, 6,021 students are enrolled, including 32% who are Pell Grant–eligible and 48% who are first-generation college students. A 2023 student survey conducted by the College found that 40% of respondents experienced food insecurity, while 51% lacked consistent access to fresh food. In response, the College launched a Fresh Food Initiative, allowing students to request a weekly bag with produce, fresh protein, and dairy items. The program has since grown to provide 85 bags per week. The main pantry, which opened in 2018, operates on a client-choice model, is accessible seven days a week and serves more than 133 visitors each month. Additionally, 11 satellite grab-and-go locations are available throughout the day, providing students with convenient access to food that helps them stay focused and nourished.

"This new partnership with Stop & Shop comes at a critical time as reductions to SNAP and other safety-net programs continue, yet student need is rising," said Dylan Heffernan, assistant director of the Ramapo College We Care Program. "By providing reliable access to nutritious food, Stop & Shop is helping to reduce barriers to students succeeding and graduating. Our shared goal is to ensure students graduate, prepared to enter the workforce and make a positive impact on the world."

The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program helps remove barriers that can impact student success by ensuring consistent access to food. The program supports local schools by providing gift cards and financial donations to stock existing pantries or establish new ones.

“Hunger is a growing challenge across New Jersey, impacting more families and college students who lack consistent access to nutritious meals,” said Daniel Wolk, External Communications Manager for Stop & Shop. “No student can reach their full potential on an empty stomach, especially as they prepare for final exams. Stop & Shop is proud to partner with Ramapo College of New Jersey to support its pantry and grab-and-go locations, helping ensure students have the food they need to succeed.”

Stop & Shop currently supports more than 280 School Food Pantries across its five-state footprint, serving over 43,000 students and families each month. In New Jersey, Stop & Shop supports 19 school food pantries and plans to open several more in 2026. For more information about Stop & Shop’s School Food Pantry program, visit https://stopandshop.com/pages/school-food-pantry-program.