Cranford, NJ – New Jersey Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari joined the Union County Board of County Commissioner Chairman Joseph Bodek, Commissioner Vice Chair Rebecca Williams, Commissioners Lourdes Leon, Stan Neron, and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, along with UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ leaders, to announce $250,000 in support of the College’s Nourish the Future initiative, which addresses food insecurity and nutritional barriers facing Union County students.
The funding, provided by the Union County Board of County Commissioners through the County’s Social Services 2026 Grant Program, will strengthen UCNJ’s efforts to ensure that students have reliable access to food while pursuing their education. The investment reflects a shared commitment among state and county leaders and UCNJ to removing barriers that can prevent students from succeeding in College and achieving greater economic mobility. The County’s investment continues its longstanding partnership with UCNJ and builds upon previous support for the College’s food insecurity programs. In 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners provided $250,000 to support UCNJ initiatives, including Hoot’s Market, meal vouchers, and farmers’ markets. That support helped the College expand its efforts to provide students with immediate food assistance.
Through Nourish the Future, UCNJ will continue and expand several initiatives designed to address food insecurity among students. The College’s meal voucher program provides students with immediate access to hot, nutritious meals on campus. UCNJ’s on-campus food pantry offers emergency groceries and daily essentials, while farmers’ markets provide fresh produce to students at no cost.
“Students should not have to choose between purchasing a meal and paying for their education,” said UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. “We are incredibly grateful to Senate President Scutari and the Union County Board of County Commissioners for recognizing that meeting students’ basic needs is an important part of helping them remain focused on their education, complete their degrees, and build a better future for themselves and their families.”
UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.
